Skin Cancer Support Group
If you or a loved one has skin cancer, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, and meet others going through the same. Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin, which can have many causes, including repeated severe sunburns or long-term exposure to the sun. Skin cancer generally develops in the outermost layer of skin so a tumor is usually...
Hello,
Two weeks ago, at my Physical, I mentioned to my doctor that over the past few months I had noticed that a birthmark/mole on had changed. I've had it since I can remember and it had always been raised, a circle and a greenish tint. Now it is more of a grayish color, bigger and the border is no longer smooth. My doctor took a look at it and said it looked worrisome because of its appearance and because it is located right over a major vein. She said I would probably need to have an excisional biopsy to get it all (it's about the size of a pencil eraser) and referred me to a dermatologist. My appointment is Friday.
If the dermatologist feels like a biopsy is necessary, is it possible they will do it at that visit or more likely schedule the biopsy for another day?
Also, how long should I expect for the excisional biopsy to take? Are biopsies painful or will it is more like just discomfort? How long does it typically take for an excisional biopsy to heal?
Thank You for taking the time to read this. I am just a little nervous.
Artist Madrid
Two weeks ago, at my Physical, I mentioned to my doctor that over the past few months I had noticed that a birthmark/mole on had changed. I've had it since I can remember and it had always been raised, a circle and a greenish tint. Now it is more of a grayish color, bigger and the border is no longer smooth. My doctor took a look at it and said it looked worrisome because of its appearance and because it is located right over a major vein. She said I would probably need to have an excisional biopsy to get it all (it's about the size of a pencil eraser) and referred me to a dermatologist. My appointment is Friday.
If the dermatologist feels like a biopsy is necessary, is it possible they will do it at that visit or more likely schedule the biopsy for another day?
Also, how long should I expect for the excisional biopsy to take? Are biopsies painful or will it is more like just discomfort? How long does it typically take for an excisional biopsy to heal?
Thank You for taking the time to read this. I am just a little nervous.
Artist Madrid
There are many different types of biopsies.
I have only my surgeon dermatologist do the biopsies, if my regular oncologist dermatologist finds a spot.
Also I numb my skin with a cream before they give me a shot to numb for a biopsy.
So my appointment was today. The dermatologist said that the mole on my foot was a Atypical Blue Nevus (not sure what that meansand opted to do a shave biopsy. She said within two weeks I should get the results but she seemed to think everything was ok.
*A Sigh of Relief*
Thank you Deraming for your response.