Please can you share what happens next - biopsy and procedure for potential skin cancer

[Forgotmyoriginalusername]

I know I should google this but I’m afraid to, in case I find a lot of ‘worst case scenario’ results.

I’ve just come back from the dermatologist for an itchy red area/rash I’ve had on my upper arm since the summer holidays, which hasn’t responded to topical steroids (so
my gp referred me to a dermatologist/ specialist at the local hospital).

i expected her to say it was nothing but she said ‘hmmm’ when she looked at it and said that she wants me to come in for a ‘procedure’ to remove it asap (ideally next Tuesday, which is her first available surgery day). All done under local anaesthetic so I’m not worried about the procedure itself, and she said she will try to remove some/all of the affected skin and send it off for biopsy too. The benefit of that approach is that, she said, it combines both biopsy and potentially initial treatment too.

My questions are:

• is this standard to be booked for procedure this quickly? I wasn’t expecting that, it has a sense of urgency
• If it’s skin cancer, what are the usual next steps?
• has anyone out there gone through similar and can let me know if this is something to worry about?

thanks so much!

Don't consult Dr Google - much of the information you're likely to find wil lbe inaccurate and/or out of date.
It sounds as if there's still a reasonable chance that it turns out not to be cancer, but if it is, then I'd recommend the McMillan website for reliable information and a support forum (I am a member of the bowel cancer forum there)

Here are the links for the skin cancer parts of the site
Skin cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Skin cancer forum | Macmillan Online Community

It could be a basal cell carcinoma. I literally know a dozen ppl (alive & well) who have had one & none of them had it progress, just removed. It's a kind of pre-cancer lesion, 2/3 of BCC if left alone would never become malignant. Some of the other more dodgy skin cancers (like SCC) can be very successfully treated for almost everyone.

I know it's uncomfortable waiting but odds are it's nothing bad while if it does require treatment, odds are the treatment will prevent it from being an important problem.

Hang in there.

I had malignant melanoma - I went to the dermatologist and she wanted it out there and then! They got it out, I had a follow up surgery for a wider excision and a couple of lymph nodes removed to test and all came back clear. The upside of getting it done quickly as it often acts as the only treatment you’ll need so it’s great that they do that. I have regular check ups but almost 4 years on now.
I spent too much time in a Google black hole and the worry and stress it caused me made everything so much worse and was so unnecessary. My consultant told me to stick to the factual sites - NHS, Macmillan CRUK etc and it really was sensible advice - just don’t let yourself spiral - chances are it’s nothing and even if it is cancerous they’re getting it out and that will likely (and hopefully) be the end of it :-)

Thank you all. I will try to remember to update when I know more.

How did you get on on Tuesday?

Thank you for following up with me :-)

Procedure and biopsy all done and waiting for results. Doctor thinks we should get them later this week or early next week but said there’s a bit of a delay at the moment.

Just in the waiting game now…

Hi @Forgotmyoriginalusername I hope you have got your results back and that it’s all ok. I’m in the same position waiting for results from a skin biopsy. Suspected basal cell carcinoma on my face (which I was not remotely worried about as I thought it was just a soebheric keratosis of which I have loads) - even though it’s small I will need MOHs surgery to remove it because of the location. Had the biopsy on the 3rd December (privately)and still waiting on the results so I think things are quite slow at the moment. The dermatologist had said it would take 7-10 days. Not sure whether to chase it up as I kind of don’t want to hear bad news but at the same time I think the uncertainty as to whether or not I need this surgery is also making me feel quite anxious…and then there’s always “google horror” when I start to research it a bit more and fall into the pit of doom mongering….

Got my biopsy and it was quite good. Basel cell as suspected but doesn’t look like anything worse and the doctor has said no further action required as removing it was both diagnosis and cure. She said I just need to be more careful to be religious with sun tan lotion (although I already thought I was … but maybe not good enough!) and need to keep an eye out for any future moles etc as it may mean I’m a bit more prone to getting Basel cell carcinoma.

I feel ok; relieved it wasn’t worse but regretful re the sunbeds I used in my 20s (they don’t look such a clever idea anymore). But I guess I can’t change the past. Plus I’ve joined a gym and am trying to treat this as a wake up call to put my health higher up the priority list from now on.

Good luck @Floyd45 … It’s horrible having this stress over the head at Christmas; I’m sending out my warmest thoughts and empathy to you.

@Forgotmyoriginalusername that’s great news and a relief that you have already had the necessary treatment. At least now you can be vigilant and keep an eye on things moving forward - i.e. have an annual mole map/body check to catch anything before it becomes a problem. I think bcc is fairly common and once you have one then you can be prone to having more - but they are harmless if caught early. Hopefully I will hear back soon…I suspect mine will be a bcc but I will feel better once I know for sure and there’s a plan in place to get it sorted out.