Atypical mole - So worried

[Voiletpickles]

Hi everyone,

I’m really struggling with health anxiety at the moment and could really use some reassurance.

I’ve had two moles on my leg for as long as I can remember. I’m 40 now, and after having a baby three years ago my skin seemed to change quite a bit. I had one mole removed privately from my calf, and the results came back completely normal.
More recently, I had another mole removed from the other side of my leg. It’s also been there for a very long time, but it had developed a small cluster of pigment in a straight line coming from it, which understandably worried me. I found a vague photo from 2020 and you can see the outline, though, it’s not the clearest of photographs - it looks really similar. It kinda looks like a tiny agminated nevus (after trawling Google). For context, the largest dots are 2mm x 2mm. I’m unsure if the tiny bottom dot was there five years ago.

My private dermatologist examined it with a dermoscope and told me it was atypical but not malignant melanoma. Despite this reassurance, my anxiety didn’t settle. The mole was then removed on the NHS on December 1st. The consultant there also examined it and said it was not malignant melanoma, just atypical, and that it should be removed. When I told her how anxious I was, she reassured me by saying there was “nothing to lose sleep over.” I wish I’d asked more questions.

Even so, I’m now waiting for the biopsy results, which won’t be back for another three weeks, and my anxiety is through the roof. The wait for the results is between 4-6 weeks. I keep catastrophising and convincing myself something terrible has been missed.

I guess what I’m asking is: should I trust what the consultant said and try to relax? If there had been a real concern that this was cancer, would she have had a duty to tell me? I know biopsies are the gold standard, but both dermatologists were experienced and examined the mole thoroughly with a dermoscope.

I’m really not coping well with the waiting and would appreciate any reassurance or kind words. Please be gentle as I’m genuinely struggling.

Your private dermatologist has examined it and told you it was atypical but not malignant melanoma.

The NHS consultant who removed it told you exactly the same thing.

She has also told you it's "nothing to lose sleep over.”

They see these things all day every day and they have a sense of perspective and can compare everything they've ever seen.

But we don't, do we.

I've had three moles removed and all biopsies came back fine after a wait and I forgot about them. So will you, all being well.

I have a sun mark on my face that has been examined and found to be nothing, so not removed. I'm keeping an eye on it and will be calling it in if anything changes.

It's a pain that your wait is over Christmas.

But tell yourself not one but two experts have said it's ok.

Tell yourself it's GONE.

Then tell yourself that if in the unlikely event there was an issue, you're going to adult and take whatever steps and treatment you need to take with their support.

All the best.

I've had moles removed, too and they removed quite a large area around it. Biopsy came back fine.

Have faith in what those 2 experts have told you.

No news is good news. I had an atypical mole removed 3rd May and was told biopsy results in 6 weeks… 10 days later I got a call to go in immediately as it was in fact malignant melanoma. IME anything sinister is picked up quickly and they get you in asap

I’m sorry to hear that. How are you doing now?
Thanks so much. I’m petrified. My mum was diagnosed with 1b MM in summer and I’m worried this is happening to me. I just wish I was more aware else I would have seen about my bonkers looking mole sooner x

Thanks so much for writing back.
I really appreciate your words. I need to have a good word with myself. I’m sure doctors are obligated to tell us if they suspect the worst. I’m hoping they are both correct. It’s knocked me for six x

Thank you for writing back and telling me what my family have been repeating for weeks.
Im just terrified that something will come back ‘odd’ since I’ve had it for so long and stupidly didn’t go and see about it. It’s such a long wait.

It's fine OP. Malignant I'd always atypical. Atypical is not always malignant. In this case it was not malignant. Atypical can be something or nothing. Please don't stress yourself over this. You did right, got it checked and it was nothing.

If they do find anything they will get back you quickly.

You'll then get on with treatment as an investment in your future..

If they find nothing you'll have a longer wait to hear - because you're not urgent. This does not of course help how we feel!

You could check up with your GP and ask them to follow up?

I did that after gynae polyp removal; hadn't heard anything, rang the GP and asked for any news, heard taptaptap down the phone, then he said he'd just looked up my records, found the all-clear result and the note that a letter would be sent to me 'in due course.' It took a while, was indeed all clear, but my overactive mind was already at rest because of that chat.

I've had moles like that for decades - would never occur to me to have them checked.
But if you go to see doctor(s) then there is no point unless you actually accept what they say. When they tell you it's fine, believe them.

When I was originally diagnosed with melanoma the dr looked at it under the dermatoscope and said immediately it was melanoma, they couldn’t fit me in because it was Christmas so I had it booked to be removed end of Jan. by the second week of Jan it had already doubled in size, I rang and asked for a cancellation slot and thankfully got one! I had it removed on the 11th of Jan and the surgeon who removed it said it wouldn’t be an issue, he didn’t think it was cancer (!) but as I was there he’d remove it (how gracious ) he then said he would write to me within 6 weeks with the results.

On the 20th of Jan I got a call asking me to attend clinic in the morning and I knew I’d be told it was cancer.

If both your consultants have said it’s not melanoma and you haven’t heard since the 1st of December I really wouldn’t worry.

Ive added photos of the same mole on the day I noticed it and the day it was removed. It had completely engulfed the freckle next to it.