2 week referral to dermatology - worrying moles

[Sickdog]

Hi all

Not sure why I'm posting really - just feel a bit stressed out! I saw my GP this morning about a mole on my back that has been slightly red and itchy. She sent photos of that mole and several others nearby that look "atypical" to the dermatology team for review. I'm a fairly moley person and a lot of my moles look a little unusual.
Anyway, I've been completely freaked out by a phone call coming through 2 hours later saying that a dermatologist has reviewed the photos and I need an 14 day referral to the hospital.
Amazingly I've just received an appointment for 12 days time. I know this is really fast but I'm not sure how I will keep sane until then!

I'm also not sure what to expect at the appointment as I've never had this sort of issue before. Should I be prepared for a biopsy or even removal of the mole(s) on the same day?
Thanks

If it is a mole excision then usually they will just take the mole itself and send it for a biopsy. If it shows cancerous cells they then perform a local area excision and take extra skin from surrounding the area to halt any spread.

The size of the local area excision will most likely depend on the probable staging of the cancer. I had a stage 1 melanoma removed in 2019 and they took 2cm from around the original mole in a local area excision. Since then I've had another mole removed that ended up being harmless and they just took the mole itself.

It's good that they've given you such a quick appointment. Wishing you luck for the next stage - hopefully it will end up being harmless 🤞🏻

Hi OP, I'm in the same boat as you - but I had a phone call with my GP this morning rather than a face to face, and she's referring me to dermatology for a worrying large (6mm+) mole on my back that looks exactly like a melanoma to me, and I'd be thrilled with a 12 day wait! Goodness me, that would be great. She has no idea how long, but thinks it could be over 6 weeks before I see anyone. It's the same going privately - no availability at all. I think it's unlikely they'd remove it at that first appt - I've had bccs in the past and the 1st appt is always to check if it is in fact bad, then a second appt scheduled in to remove it. However, much better if they whip it out then and there. Good luck, I really hope yours is not serious and if it is, that it's all removed in a oner and no further tmt required. Such a horrible worrying time. Stay off google. I switched from google to mumsnet as I was panicking myself so much. Not sure this has helped

@Mythreeknights
Sorry to hear that you've joined me in the worry boat. I really hope that you don't have to wait as long as 6 weeks - that would be awful!
Hopefully we will both have reassuring results or that any problems have been caught early.
I've forbidden myself from consulting Dr Google as I would probably plunge into a cycle of panic. I'm going to try to assume that everything is fine unless I'm told otherwise. Easier said than done!

Hi @Sickdog I'm a little ahead of you, I had an excision biopsy on a 6MM+ mole nearly 4 weeks a go. I'm waiting for results.

I didn't have the biopsy on the same day as the initial consultation at the hospital but it was inside of 2 weeks I think. My biopsy is quite impressive, my scar is 2 inches and did take a bit of recovery because its located in a very mobile place.

I saw the dr on a Thursday and she made the urgent referral, the hospital called me on the Sunday morning to book me in for the following Tuesday.

Theres some really good advice and calming information on the Cancer UK chat boards, a lady there posts all the facts and figures that make you realise you have odds on your side and treatment is usually surgery only but can involve some checks for spread if its a bit deeper. Its helped me so much understanding how the process works and what to expect if it is a melanoma, like the check for spread if its over a certain thickness being completely standard as a precaution. Not sure if that makes sense.

On my notes I can see they are looking to rule out melanoma and question if it could be 2 different types of benign growth, so theres other possibilities. Mine didn't look like a typical dodgy mole, it was a very pale pink freckle that suddenly grew and deepened into a dark pink so I felt a bit daft going in but I'm glad I did.

I've managed to stay calm waiting but we have had days we've planned dinner out or time with the (adult) kids so I have things to plan and look forward to which really helps. I would also say that both my husband and I have been referred on the 2 week wait for moles before and both times they were looked at and deemed fine with nothing more needed after a visual check, so its not a 100% certainty they will biopsy it. When I went in to the initial clinic where they check moles we were queueing out the door and waiting in storerooms it was so busy, when I went in for the biopsy clinic there were 3 of us waiting.

Best of luck x

@Redcherries
Thanks so much for your detailed and reassuring reply.
Can I just ask - did the dermatology doctor check all your moles or just the suspect one? Having had this scare I’m quite keen to have all my moles checked over as many are on my back so hard for me to view!
I really hope your results come through soon and that you have a positive outcome. I’m going to follow your example and try to keep busy, though it’s tough as you know.
x

I had a suspect mole removed a few years ago now. The only slightly painful bit was when they injected the local anaesthetic. Then I just lay down and closed my eyes until they were done, and I didn't feel a thing!

It turned out to be benign so no further checks needed.

They didn't check all my other moles. It might vary area to area, but they don't do mole mapping or general checks in my local nhs anymore. I get this done privately once a year or so with a dermatologist, costs £100. Not ideal but I don't mind for the peace of mind

@Sickdog no, I didn’t get an all over check, reading around a bit online it’s seems to vary, some places do, some do if they find something on biopsy.

I’ve called today to see if there was a delay on results, turns out my dr is on annual leave so my results are in her tray but I have to wait. Have to admit I had a bit of a cry and wobble, it’s frustrating, but it’s the first time I’ve cried.

How are you holding up ❤️

@Redcherries
Oh that must be so difficult, I really feel for you! Knowing the results are just sitting there but not being told is excruciating. Although waiting is so difficult I very much hope that this is good news for you. If the results required urgent action I would expect they wouldn't wait for the doctor to return from annual leave and you would have been contacted by another member of the team. So I would tentatively hope that it's positive news. I hope you're feeling a little better this evening. I'll keep everything crossed for you.

I spoke to my brother yesterday and that's calmed me down a little as he had a biopsy on his toenail a few years ago that turned out to be benign.

I'm trying to follow your advice and keep busy. Another day has passed by so a week tomorrow I will hopefully know a little more once I'm seen in the clinic. x

sickdog good luck for your appt this week

I’ve had a few moles removed on the day and a few have been booked in for the following week or so.

Thanks for that info Chippymunks.

@Mythreeknights thanks for your good wishes. Do you have an appt date yet?

I'm feeling nervous about tomorrow but so glad the 12 day wait is almost over - it's felt more like 3 months!

Mine's in 4.5 weeks time - ironically quicker via the NHS than going privately this time. Good luck tomorrow, I really hope yours is nothing scary.

How did you get on @Sickdog?

I got my results this week, lady on the phone on Monday reassured me that it was nothing to worry about and I finally got my letter yesterday, I was diagnosed with a mole but in posh medical talk ;) Fingers crossed for xx

@Redcherries I'm so pleased to hear your good news....what a relief!

Thanks for asking about my appointment. I saw a lovely doctor (and med student!) on Tuesday who sensed my panic and did a full skin check. She was not concerned about the 2 moles identified as odd by my GP; her opinion is that they are very unlikely to be melanoma. She said we could just review them in 3 months but suggested they should be removed so I don't have to worry about them.

The appt for removal has been booked for 9th December so not long to wait until the moles are gone for good.

Overall I am very relieved.

I also had an itchy mole, I saw a dermatologist within 2 weeks and she said she thought it was probably benign . I had it removed a week or so later. The worst bit was the local as it was on my spine. It was benign but its type means I'm more susceptible to skin cancer than most people.

@Sickdog Thats great news :)

Have you had moles removed before? I have to admit my scar is quite a bit larger than the mole was and it is in a bloody awkward place on my leg so healing took a little while and I ended up basically more off my feet than on them for 2 weeks!

It is a relief when the buggers are gone, good luck.

Great news from everyone so far on this thread....fingers x I'm in the same happy boat on 10th Dec when I have my appt. Good luck on the 9th sickdog!