Mole removal - from 'just in case' to 'take as much as we can'

[LilyWasThere]

Just as the title really. Has anyone else had this? I've been referred twice and ended up at dermatology to have a mole looked at 'to be on the safe side' and the next thing I know, it's can I stay to have it taken out now with the surgeon and they're taking as much as they can and off it goes urgently to histology.

It's shaken me somewhat as I was expecting them to say, at worst, they'll keep any eye on it.

The mole was 0.8cms and I now have a 3cms hole in my shoulder and 6 stitches.

Has anyone else had this? I feel like I can't quite get a grip on it. On one hand, I'm delighted they've acted so fast if it does need taking out, but at the same time, rather blindsided.

I don't really know what I'm asking.

My mum had similar on her lower leg. When she finally got her dermatology appointment she was back in the next day for removal and yes - it involved a big hole and skin graft. Once it was done though she was fine and no further cancers.

Annoyingly, her GP had written 'non-urgent' on her referral so she took ages to be seen. She'd mentioned it to me but I hadn't seen it until I saw her coming out of the bathroom one day. I'm no expert but it certainly looked cancerous to me so I persuaded her to chase up her referral.

It is a lot to take in but it's great that you were treated so quickly. Hope you regain your equilibrium soon!

It may be nothing to worry about and all come back negative.
If it's melanoma they'll either have got wide enough margins already so no further treatment needed (this depends on staging which includes a few factors inc size, below thickness, wether it's ulcerated or not), or if necessary, they could invite you back in for further treatment - wide local excision (either with flap or graft repair under general anaesthetic). They may give you the option of a lymph node trace and biopsy to see if it had spread to a lymph node. If it's spread to lymph node you're re staged at stage 3. Don't panic - there are lots of treatments available and it's not a death sentence by any means !

Honestly try not to google and don't look on the melanomates fb group, it's largely used by people who are very unwell so gives you a really skewed view. The majority of melanoma patients are caught early and walk away with no further treatment needed and don't join the Facebook groups.

*breslow thickness ! Not below thickness. This refers to how deep into the epi/dermis it is.

I had a bcc removed from my back 7 years ago,it was tiny "spot" size, surgeon said he would take 2 inches either side. Recently under a dermatologist for vulval eczema, asked her to have a look at a thing on my chest, about the size of my thumb nail, I knew it was going to be another bcc. Big scar,12 sutures,3 weeks ago,so painful. Also a small brown mole on forearm,which since last summer,grew a weird dry crusty grey/white top. She was going to do C & C, but the top fell off the week prior to surgery, level with my skin,so she used liquid nitrogen to remove. They do remove big margins to be on the safe side. Have you had the histology?

Me! They should let you know fairly quickly if they need to take any more off. I’ve had a stage 1 melanoma removed from my back and also other bits snipped off just in case. I’ve got a large scar on my arm where they removed a melanoma in situ and made a mess of the wide area excision. I’m really covered in scars where they keep snipping off dodgy moles just in case. I have a huge family history of melanoma (in that it killed off several of my aunts and uncles), my mother had it and other relatives have had it too. Please don’t worry.

DH had something similar many years ago now - 1st GP said he thought it wasn't worrying, but he'd ask for a second opinion, 2nd GP said he thought it wasn't worrying, but referred him to dermatology just in case. Dermatologist said he thought it wasn't concerning, but they'd take it off. It turned out to be cancerous, so he was called back to have more removed - both removals under local anaesthetic. He didn't need further treatment, and had checkups for a few years, but no recurrence. I hope that's some reassurance.

Hi op
It's an awful worrying time I agree.
6 years ago I had a dodgy mole removed. Until the biopsy they didn't excatly know what it was, but they took wide margins just in case. Similar scar to you.
I went back for the results to be told it was a melanoma but luckily in situ (stage 0) and because they'd taken clean margins, no further treatment was required.
It floored me. I was actually breast feeding my 4 month old when he gave me the news (needs must!).
I joined the fb groups, googled etc and found myself in a hole of despair, thoughts consuming and ruined my first year with my baby.
I came off the groups, had a good talk to myself and over time, settled my mind.
I keep a close eye on my moles (was fortunate that my hospital took proper medical photos of my body which I have a copy of and can do regular comparing), am careful on the sun but over all, it doesn't control me anymore.
So my advice....they've taken wide margins just in case, and if it comes back as anything, you may not need any further treatment. If you do, go with the flow. Try to stay off the groups, they can be helpful in some cases and of course I don't know your mind set, but for me, wholy fed into my worries.
I am cross that I let this take over for so long and ruin a year at least.
You don't say how old you are. I was 35. I've had another baby since and no other concerns (touch wood).
Easier said than done but try not to worry about the things you don't know for certain.
Sending hugs. X

Thanks everyone - it's sounds like it's fairly common then. I think it was the significant gear change in tone and language that threw me.

I really appreciate your replies, they've confirmed what I was trying to hold onto in my head... but always easier said than done!

Just need to wait for histology to come back now...

Let us know how you get on op! If it's positive they should give you the contact of a Macmillan skin cancer nurse who o always find great.

My story is very similar to Hedgerows.

My GP had sent me for a none urgent dermatology app, in fact worse than that, it took two GP appointments for them to actually refer me .

6 months later and the appointment day came. The dermatologist took one look at it and insisted I had it taken off there and then. I went back a few days later for the results and it was melanoma. She was absolutely furious that the GP hadn't spotted it.

A couple of weeks later I had more skin taken away to be sure we'd got it all out, and I had a year of check ups.

7 years later I'm fine, but still can't quite believe what happened.

Wishing you well OP

Will do! I'm trying very hard to stay off google - will be a long couple of weeks I suspect!

I asked my nurse to look at a mole on my thigh which had changed colour a couple of weeks ago, GP came to look at it, referred me to hospital for an appointment in under a week.
The dermatologist decided it needed to be removed there and then. I have nine stitches which are due out next week.
It's been very speedy, which was unexpected. Results are imminent.

If there is the slightest possibility it's not just a mole, it's normal for them to take it off there and then and send it for testing, to be on the safe side. 'monitoring' at that point would not be good care.

I've just had a mole removed on my back , 3 days ago. I still have the dressing on, can take it off on Sunday. They said the scar would be 3cm long. I'm not too worried as I didn't actually go about this mole but was spotted in appointment. They said don't go away and worry too much. However on the paper work it says removing just in case it's a melonoma or something else.