Suspicious mole due to change in colour

[Topaz89]

I was referred by my GP to dermatology about a suspicious mole on my forearm that has changed colour. It used to be a brown colour and now it has turned very dark brown almost black.
I went to my dermatology appointment today, and the consultant said the mole needs to be cut out and biopsied.

The mole is a small circle shape so an even shape, and about 3mm. It’s not raised. The only red flag about it is that it has changed colour.

I’m so nervous and worried about my results. Has anyone else had a situation where they had a mole that had changed colour but it remained ok in all other ways eg stayed small and an even shape?

Hi @Topaz89 .
I am in a similar situation to you right now and was wondering how you got in with the biopsy?
Hope all is well .

Hi @bizzey.
Hope you’re doing ok.
I had the mole removed last Tuesday and it was sent away to be biopsied. No results yet. I received my dermatologist’s assessment letter today in the post, and she has stated in it that the mole is either a “severe atypical nevus” or melanoma. She didn’t like the look of it at all and I’m fearing the worst all the time 🙁.

Whats the latest for you? Have you had a biopsy done? Did/do you have a mole that has changed too? It’s a very worrying time so sending you lots of hugs and support. x

I forgot to say as well. The procedure wasn’t painful or uncomfortable at all. I had some local anaesthetic injected in to my arm, and then they used a punch excision thing to cut it out. It was over within minutes. I then had some small stitches put in and had the dressings put over it. The stitches will be removed this Friday.

@Topaz89 thanks for replying.

I am at the early stages .

Went to GP as my regular backache was getting me down as it was hindering my new "get fit " regime !!

Always had back problems. But thought it was about time maybe to see someone /physio .

Anyhow ...why examing my back ...she said oh ...you have a mole .

Long story short ..she referred me to the GP who deals with Dermatology stuff .

Had that appointment a few days ago .? Yesterday ? .

She didn't like it .took photos.
Booked me an appointment at hospital for next week .

So all a bit whirlwind really.

It is a black mole on the base of my back near spine .

She asked if I had noticed any changes in it 😂😂..

I did laugh and say ..it isn't really any area I can examine very well !!

Anyhow ..
She didn't beat around the bush and did talk about SC and stuff.

Did your biopsy happen in the consultant appointment or did you have to go for a separate one .
X

I had skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) it was by my eye almost where the bridge of my nose is
I had plastic surgery as it was right by my eye and about 30 stitches.
they cut it all away with MOHs surgery and considering they moved my cheek across slightly you really can’t see it
try not to worry as can be treated

@lovemycbf, BCC is not melanoma.

I know this

@bizzey, @Topaz89 wondering how you got on? I have a dark mole in a weird location which is newish. Had GP skin clinic today and he referred me because it was a bit too dark for him to feel comfortable.

Hi @myladyjane, I still haven’t had my results yet! I’m hoping it will be this week at some point.

I hope everything goes ok for you. Are they seeing you on the 2 week pathway? x

Thanks for replying and all fingers crossed it’s all good for you. Yes should be 2 week pathway - I have a bit of family history and some health anxiety so feeling a bit sensitive about it all i must say

Hi @myladyjane .

After the GP appointment where she took magnified photos , she sent them to a system some Trusts are rolling out called Dermatology which is sort of triage system .

Had the appointment a week later .
Nurse took her photos on her super dooper magnifying camera.

They then get sent to a Dermatologist Consultant.

She said there would be 3 outcomes .

1. nothing to worry about and get referred back to GP.

2. Something suspicious..get seen in f2f clinic usually in 3- 4 months time .

3. Biopsy booked in a 2ww.

I am #2 !

So it is showing something...but not sure yet what .

Mine is small.

I have the appointment for August.

I am quite happy and satisfied with that for various reasons !

I have had a lot of medical issues and procedures over the past month or so and still more appointments to come .

I am all "doctored " out 😀.

If I hadn't have gone to the GP for back pain it would never have been found ...so I reckon a few more months till I am mentally able to take on another medical issue won't hurt .

Gosh ...that was long !
Sorry 😐!

I think GP's are very vigilant with odd looking moles .

They always spot them before any problems !

Thanks @bizzey. It was the gp skin lesion clinic but tbh he got his little scope thing out, swore a bit (it’s a very awkward place) then said it’s a bit dark so I would prefer to refer. He was clear to say just because he was referring me it didn’t mean he though it was sc but better checked and I think is a 2 week referral automatically. I was in there for less than 2 mins (as was the chap before). No prolonged looking, no photos .

Didn't spot my typo !

The clinic trusts are rolling out is called Teledermatology ...not just Dermatology obviously ! 😂

Still no results yet! It’s been a month now since my biopsy. Is it normal for it to take this long? Starting to think it’s lost somewhere.
I had a bone biopsy done a few months ago and I had my results back within two weeks!

I was thinking of you @Topaz89and wondering if you had an update. A month does seem a very long time to wait (totally not related but I had some routine screening last week for something else and was told to expect results in 3 weeks but often quicker). Have you called? Hopefully it’s a no news is good news scenario.

my consultant appointment is tomorrow so a bit nervous now.

@Topaz89 I had my appointment today (they are treating it as query melanoma but more because of family history) and I’ve been told to expect it to take a month to get the results back after it’s removed. So hopefully your results are almost back

Hi @myladyjane, my results have come back as no concerns. Thank god. I really hope you have a good outcome too!
I’ve posted a picture of my mole so I can show you what I was dealing with. It was the same colour as the lighter coloured moles surrounding it, and it changed to that dark colour. So it really was an ugly duckling mole as it stood out so much. But it was fine. Sometimes moles change because of hormones so maybe it was because of that.

I’ll always advise anyone to get any moles checked out if they change colour like mine did. It could be benign but also could be something sinister.

Ahhh topaz that’s great news!