On 4/22/2008
nerchlejo wrote:
Hi
I am new to this board I wanted some information on the protocol for a biopsy for skin cancer. Last Thurs I went to my dermatologist because I had found 4 brown odd shaped birthmarks on my waste On Thurs the doctor shaved the skin said there is nothing to worry about come back next week and we will biospy the one on my face (It is the size of a needle and greyish black. and I will have a skin cancer screening by a different doctor. On Monday I do that visit the doctor checks out my body say my lab results are not it and wants to do another biopsy next to the one the other doctor did This one required 2 stitches When I asked her why this one was so deep she said that is how she was trained in case the pathologist needs more of the sample. It doesn't sit right with me I dond't like whe two doctors in the same office do things differently
So I guess my question which is the correct way to do the biopsy Is there one way if they suspect cancer and another way if they don't? I have a total of 4 of these things on my waist will they be biopsying all of them.
I am not sure how to find info on this board but so far it seem that there is no detail talk How they were diagnoised what treat pain tolerence pain medication The real deal stuff that the doctors never tell the patients I find that an informed patient usually does better ...al least for me it works that way I need to know what I will be up against if the results are not good.
What is the survival rate for skin cancer are there long term survivors
Laura
Hi Laura;
I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in January and had a 2nd surgery March 31 to remove the lymph nodes in my groin. The mole I had was on my thigh and I waited too long to have it checked. Fortunately the pet scan was negative and the 10 nodes they removed are also negative. The Sentinal Node was positive and that is why the lymph nodes were removed. At this point I am Clinically Cancer Free. Not sure where you are from but the best advice I can give is that you should go to a skin cancer specialist preferably at a hospital like Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York of Dana Farber in Boston. I made the mistake of going to a general oncology surgeon and had the first surgery at a general hospital. There are doctors who specialize in skin cancer.
Best of luck;
Joanne