Possible skin cancer in 16 y.o., I need hand holding

[lowie]

When in doubt, run to the disboards for handholding!

My 16 y.o. dd had a small mole removed yesterday, it's has all the markings of a melanoma (according to my google phd) except it was very small. I have to wait up to two weeks for pathology.

The doctor rushed in and out, didn't really explain anything to us. He saw the spot, immediately said it had to be removed. When I got home I read that possible melanomas should not be scraped or burned off. He scraped...

I also read that if pathology comes in negative I should ask for a second pathologists opinion. Should I be asking the doctor to ensure the sample is protected or will they do that automatically?

I'd appreciate any opinions or suggestions... Thanks.

 

[quasar4legs]

I am reaching out to hold your hand and give you a
Waiting for medical results is terrible and it is so much worse when it involves our precious children.

Is your daughter seeing a skin specialist?

Several years back I had a 'suspicious mole' and my GP got me an appointment with a dermatologist the next day who cut the mole out. Long story short it wasn't melanoma but both doctors were sure it was going to come back positive.

I don't have any suggestions but maybe you could discuss your concerns with your family doctor and see what they think. Maybe someone else will be able to give you some advice.

I am so sorry you are going through this, I will keep you and your daughter in my thoughts. Sending you both a big


Quasar

 

[mommasita]

I know how hard it is to stay off google, I really do. But I drove myself around the bend with it, and it did me no good.

I am hoping, praying, for the best. Two weeks is not long, but it is when one is awaiting important news. I hope it is sooner.

If you feel you need a second opinion, then you should. I do agree with quasar4legs about talking it out with your doctor. Perhaps their explanation and such will make you feel a little more at ease.

Thinking of you and your family.

 

[MedicGoofy]

Please, do not take offense to what I am about to say.

Get off the freaking computer!!!! Close google and do not look at it again until you see your physician!

People start going on google and other search engines, and looking up things they don't know much about, and get themselves worried before they should actually be worried. Seen the commercials about strokes? If you have headaches, dizziness, blurred vision.....call an ambulance or go to the hospital, you might be having a stroke. Are you kidding me.

While waiting these two weeks is going to be painfully difficult, especially because it is your 16 yr old, wait until you know what the results are until you REALLY need to worry.

If you feel at that point, you may want a second opinion, then certainly get one. That is your choice.

We are here to ya through this and listen to you and offer support. But let us be your sounding board. Not google. That can just bring you more worry when you don't need it.

Wishing you a somewhat stressless and speedy 2 weeks. Thinking about you and your 16 yr old.

Jenn

 

[DipsyDoodles]

I believe scrapping is okay just to do a biopsy. I would think they could get the results to you in less than 2 weeks though. I usually have my results within a weeks time.

 

[lowie]

I am reaching out to hold your hand and give you a
Waiting for medical results is terrible and it is so much worse when it involves our precious children.

Is your daughter seeing a skin specialist?

Several years back I had a 'suspicious mole' and my GP got me an appointment with a dermatologist the next day who cut the mole out. Long story short it wasn't melanoma but both doctors were sure it was going to come back positive.


Quasar

Thanks for the support, yes she is seeing a dermatologist who came recommended by a friend although they saw him for a different matter. Glad your mole turned out not melanoma!

Please, do not take offense to what I am about to say.

Get off the freaking computer!!!! Close google and do not look at it again until you see your physician!

People start going on google and other search engines, and looking up things they don't know much about, and get themselves worried before they should actually be worried. Seen the commercials about strokes? If you have headaches, dizziness, blurred vision.....call an ambulance or go to the hospital, you might be having a stroke. Are you kidding me.

While waiting these two weeks is going to be painfully difficult, especially because it is your 16 yr old, wait until you know what the results are until you REALLY need to worry.

If you feel at that point, you may want a second opinion, then certainly get one. That is your choice.

We are here to ya through this and listen to you and offer support. But let us be your sounding board. Not google. That can just bring you more worry when you don't need it.

Wishing you a somewhat stressless and speedy 2 weeks. Thinking about you and your 16 yr old.

Jenn

Thank you too! Absolutely no offense taken. My daughter had a doctor completely disregard a condition my dd has that was found on an MRI but luckily I had googled it and got a second opinion. I know though how google doctoring can turn into hypochondria, but for some reason my baby girl has had a history of unusual health problems so I an hyper vigilant for her.

Thank also to all that replied, I knew I could count on DIS friends to offer comfort and advice.

 

[JJ in wonderland]

I had a very similar situation 2 years ago when I was 24. I have melanoma in my family history (my grandmother died from it) and I get a full body check every year. I had a mole removed with early signs of skin cancer. My dermatologist first removed the mole (also a very small one) to send in and that is when he found out that it had been positive for precancerous cells. He then did an excision (removing extra normal skin around where the mole was) so the cancerous cells do not spread. I have had 2 moles removed since then and they both came up negative for anything.

My dermatologist (who I am very close with, and completely trust him) said that this is a common thing to happen and that it may only happen once your whole life or can happen in a few more areas. But the most important thing is to continue regular full body checks.

I am not sure if it is the same thing in your child's case but I hope this puts your mind at ease slightly.

 

[kacaju]

((hugs)) I have to take my 16 year old to the Dr next week to get a referral to a derm to have them look at moles she has. They look just like my basil cell (that I found out I had at age 40)

 

[lowie]

I had a very similar situation 2 years ago when I was 24. I have melanoma in my family history (my grandmother died from it) and I get a full body check every year. I had a mole removed with early signs of skin cancer. My dermatologist first removed the mole (also a very small one) to send in and that is when he found out that it had been positive for precancerous cells. He then did an excision (removing extra normal skin around where the mole was) so the cancerous cells do not spread. I have had 2 moles removed since then and they both came up negative for anything.

My dermatologist (who I am very close with, and completely trust him) said that this is a common thing to happen and that it may only happen once your whole life or can happen in a few more areas. But the most important thing is to continue regular full body checks.

I am not sure if it is the same thing in your child's case but I hope this puts your mind at ease slightly.

That does help. Thanks so much for sharing your story with me.

((hugs)) I have to take my 16 year old to the Dr next week to get a referral to a derm to have them look at moles she has. They look just like my basil cell (that I found out I had at age 40)

We have along history of basal cell in my family, although what my dd has looks melanoma-ish. Good luck with your dd! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Schmeck]

Lowie, my first melanoma was removed by shaving - or scraping, I think you called it. I, too, went on line and freaked myself out. That's after my dermatologist called me and told me over the phone that 'yes, it was melanoma, call a surgeon to schedule a re-excision, goodbye'.

The re-excision came back with no sign of melanoma in the removed tissue, 'clear margins' they call it as well, so no negative effects of the scraping. (Knock on Wood!) It was a superficial spreading, stage 1 melanoma.

If it does come back positive, find out two things - how deep it was, and if the lymph nodes need to be checked. Then schedule the re-excision, and any other follow-up needed. Get copies of all the lab results and doctor's notes.

Find the best melanoma clinic in your area. I am lucky enough to live near and be accepted to MGH's pigmented lesion clinic, and the lead dermatologist is my doctor. I've had one more melanoma, and one precancerous lesion removed since that first one 7+ years ago.

I hope and pray that your daughter's results come back negative. I've had 6-7 other spots removed that looked iffy but came back negative. I hope with all my heart that's what she had.

 

[lowie]

Thanks Schmeck for your input. So far no results... 9 days..
This stinks.

 

[Christine]

Thanks Schmeck for your input. So far no results... 9 days..
This stinks.

No news is good news really. My DD had a small mole removed last year that looked okay to me but not to the dermatologist. It did come back as a pre-cancerous type of mole. They did tell me that the results can take up to 2 weeks but they have noticed, in their practice, that the "bad" ones seem to get reported back much sooner. We are in the Washington DC area and they send their specimens to some place is Boston.

 

[quasar4legs]

Thanks Schmeck for your input. So far no results... 9 days..
This stinks.

Oh Gosh, when I saw your name this morning I was sure the results must have been in........................hang in there

to your daughter, she must be anxious.

 

[kacaju]

That does help. Thanks so much for sharing your story with me.



We have along history of basal cell in my family, although what my dd has looks melanoma-ish. Good luck with your dd! Let us know how it goes.

thanks..she goes next week to her Dr. then I make the derm appt.

 

[lowie]

Well, no new was good news! Finally after 16 days I got the call yesterday. Benign. Thanks so much to everyone for advice and insight. We will just check her again in 6 months.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Thank goodness for small miracles!

 

[quasar4legs]

Well, no new was good news! Finally after 16 days I got the call yesterday. Benign. Thanks so much to everyone for advice and insight. We will just check her again in 6 months.

What a massive relief, thanks for letting us know.

 

[mommasita]

OMG YEAH

Thank you for the wonderful update. Hugs and blessings all around

 

[JJ in wonderland]

That is a wonderful relief I am so happy to hear.

 

[Schmeck]

benign - my most favorite word in the world! Thank you for keeping us updated!