Melanoma 2 week referral…what happens

[EdopsFuture]

The GP has referred me on a 2 week referral for a mole. It’s been itching, and after taking a look at it he’s referred for the biopsy etc.

I’ve never experienced anything like this, there’s no family history of any cancers at all. Just wondering what to expect, the gp didn’t give too much information on the procedure or appointment. Thank you

Hello. Happened to me last year. Where I am they send you for medical photography, then a dermatologist, then a biopsy if it's of concern. Mine was a "melanoma in situ" (so early stage) and removed.

I was referred with query malignant melanoma. It was a large irregular shaped dark mole on my back. They removed the whole thing and sent it off to pathology. It was four weeks before I got the results but thankfully it was normal.

Suspected cancer is normally a 2 week wait referral. Most will not be cancer. The specialist will look at it and decide whether a biopsy is necessary. Often they will take out the whole thing and biopsy, and if malignant, will go back and take out some of the surrounding skin to see if has spread. For me there was no sign of cancer in the surrounding skin so it was "in situ" and no further action.

My understanding is that if it has spread they then look at nearby lymph nodes before deciding on treatment. There is every chance it is not nasty, but it is worrying, so I hope it goes well.

Mine was examined and booked to be biopsied. When the biopsy date came round they decided to take more than originally planned.

Results took a few weeks but were all clear.

Suspect the dermatology department will decide if the mole is suspicious and needs removing. If it is removed it will be tested and you should get the results in around 6 weeks. Then depending on what the mole is you will be advised of the follow up steps. Not all moles are Melanoma.
My DH has had two moles removed both were Melanoma has he has had further surgery.
Wishing you well the dermatology team are very helpful in my experience.

I had the same referral 8 years ago for a new mole. Saw the dermatologist, he took one look and said it was melanoma, but very early stage. Booked in a few weeks later for removal. If it is officially confirmed as melanoma after histology, they will do a wider incision, removing a certain diameter of tissue around to check it hasn’t spread. Mine was classed as in situ(like the above poster’s) and I was discharged from the clinic. Left with a very faint 1.5 inch scar. Hopefully yours will be one of the less serious skin cancers, but even if it is melanoma, there is a good chance it will be easy to deal with. Fingers crossed for you.

Mine was examined and removed at the clinic on the same day, 4 week wait for the histology which was negative,

Silly question, but does the removal for a biopsy hurt at all? Were you all given local anaesthetic?
Thank you for all the replies, they are helpful.

It may hurt a little bit afterwards depending where it is, It’s fine as it’s being removed. Its really nothing to worry about if you do need a biopsy or a removal, its a very quick procedure.

Yes done under local anaesthetic and usually stitched afterwards

I read online that they can sometimes take a look at all your moles, did this happen to anyone else?

The only thing that hurts, but not much, is when they inject the local anaesthetic.

I’ve had 10 malignant melanomas removed plus multiple BCC removed and had a full body examination at every appointment.

Yes as my DH had melanoma stage 2a his moles and lymph nodes are checked every 3 months for 5 years. His second one was Melanoma in situ ie would be very unlikely to have spread if he had only had that one I don't think they do such intense follow ups

Sorry last question you’ve all been so helpful , did anyone drive themselves there and back? Mine is on my back/shoulder blade. Hospital is an hour away by car.

I’ve had them removed on my back, shoulders and legs and wouldn’t have been able to drive afterwards. After a few hours or the next morning I felt completely back to normal but straight after I wouldn't feel completely safe to drive.

I went in and had a photo taken in my first appointment. Then they decide whether to remove the mole - a few weeks later in my case - I did get it removed. It was fine thank fully.

I didn't drive but did take public transport. Mine was on my shoulder blade and I had to be careful for a couple of weeks so I didn't burst the stitches. It didn't hurt during the procedure at all.

I had to go home and get ex fil to drive me back to the hospital to get my mole surgically removed. It was on my arm. I could have driven myself but dermatology insisted.

I had one on my back, spotted by my GP. The biopsy showed that it was a melanoma. I then had two cm around it removed by a surgeon and another biopsy to check it had all gone.. No further treatment needed and now have six monthly checks from my dermatologist. The Australian websites are very helpful. I am in France, but as far as I know I think the protocols are pretty standard.

As others have said, assuming you’re in the UK, you’ll have an initial appointment to have special photos taken, which will then be analysed and they’ll tell you if it looks suspicious and needs to be removed for biopsy.

I had that initial appointment within a week. Was notified by letter that it needed removing and then they rang to book me in for the biopsy, which was about 2-3 weeks later.

Biopsy results usually within 3-8 weeks. Mine came through in about 4 weeks because i pestered them regularly and I also had pain and swelling in a nearby lymph node, which turned out to also be cancer.

I’m just finishing treatment this month and there is no sign of cancer. Hopefully it turns out to be nothing, but if not, the treatments are excellent now and I’ve been very well looked after.

To answer your question though, no, the biopsy didn’t hurt at all, though I did have soreness and swelling after for a few days. If you have someone who can drive you home, that would be ideal. I think you can drive yourself (because you won’t have had GA), but you may have limited use of that arm because of the stitches and bandage, so would be easier not to, especially if you have a manual.

I had a melanoma removed from my right arm and drove myself home after the initial biopsy and the WLE surgery also. I was told I was ok to drive by the nurses.

Also after the initial biopsy did confirm it was melanoma i was then given a full body check at my results appointment