Biopsy Question

templar345 · New User Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 4

So here is the history...about 10 months ago went to a Dermotologist because I had a mole on my chest that I happen to notice (can't for the life of me remember if it was there or not, but pretty sure it was) and it had: irregular border, size was 7mm x 4mm, some black with brown. He had me come back about 4 moths later and it had no change. No biopsy was done and deemed it benign. So I'm looking at it about a month ago and noticed that it seemed to be slightly changing..that scared me so I asked him to remove it. He wanted to shave it off and then perform a biopsy that way. I said, I did not want that since if it was Melanoma it would mean we would have no idea of depth etc..so he suggested to set up a time and have it excised to ease my fears...I thought that was a bit extreme since he felt very sure it is not Melanoma, so I talked him into doing a 8mm punch biopsy...I guess my question is this...if it turns out to be Melanoma I'm guessing they would go back and take more of the area to make sure there was no cancer cells in the healthy skin...did I screw up here? Should I have gotten the Excision..I guess my thinking was...he only wanted to do a shave orgianlly...if it turns out to be Melanoma then they can go back and get more skin..but in the meantime we would at least no how deep (if at all) the melonoma has spread with a punch...sorry I'm rambliling..but scared! Anyone have thoughts on this...

Crystal1111 · Regular Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Florida

I've had a melanoma excised 3 years ago, and really don't worry about it. If it turns out to be benign, no worries. If it is some kind of cancer, you just go back in and have the proper margins removed. It sounds like you are worrying too soon. It may be nothing. Don't worry about the decision you made. You can always go back in. To me, the excision was nothing. It left a scar, but there was really no pain. If your mole turns out to be nothing, then you won't end up with a larger than necessary scar. So, don't think about the next step until the results come back.

Crystal

templar345 · New User Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 4

Thanks... I guess the other concern I had is can doing a punch spread the Melanoma since it gets all bloody and it is not as large as an excision to get all the surrounding tissue? Can the Melanoma cells (if it is Melanoma ) spread by use of a punch biopsy..I would think that the cells could get into the bloodstream that way..

Crystal1111 · Regular Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Florida

I've never heard of that happening. Melanoma is a very slow growing cancer. I had mine for several years before I had it removed and then when it was removed, I caught it early. I wouldn't worry about the time between your biopsy and possible excision. Remember, it may not have to be removed at all. It might just be a benign mole. Chances are, it isn't melanoma.

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