FirstMelanoma

I am very upset because my dermatologist only did a shave biopsy of a suspected leg mole that looked like melanoma – and turned out to be melanoma.  I had asked him to fully remove it – going deep enough to get the roots – but he didn't.  Won't be going back to that jerk!!

Anyway, the melanoma specialist he referred me to couldn't get me in for five weeks to do the Mohs – so in the meantime (four weeks after the shave)  I've had some swelling in the area of the shave biopsy and can only wonder – is it metastasizing now because the careless dermatologist may have cut into the melanoma instead of fully removing it??

I know, from Internet research, that most dermatologists today are doing shaves for suspected melanoma instead of the punch biopsies they should be doing to be safe and fair to the patient.  But the fact that most are doing shaves, doesn't make that OK or even the best choice.

I won't be having my Moh's until next week.  Can anyone offer me some reassurance about this fiasco?  I am really stressed about it and feel that all this could have been avoided is only my dermatologist had done what I asked!!

I am very upset because my dermatologist only did a shave biopsy of a suspected leg mole that looked like melanoma – and turned out to be melanoma.  I had asked him to fully remove it – going deep enough to get the roots – but he didn't.  Won't be going back to that jerk!!

Anyway, the melanoma specialist he referred me to couldn't get me in for five weeks to do the Mohs – so in the meantime (four weeks after the shave)  I've had some swelling in the area of the shave biopsy and can only wonder – is it metastasizing now because the careless dermatologist may have cut into the melanoma instead of fully removing it??

I know, from Internet research, that most dermatologists today are doing shaves for suspected melanoma instead of the punch biopsies they should be doing to be safe and fair to the patient.  But the fact that most are doing shaves, doesn't make that OK or even the best choice.

I won't be having my Moh's until next week.  Can anyone offer me some reassurance about this fiasco?  I am really stressed about it and feel that all this could have been avoided is only my dermatologist had done what I asked!!

I am very upset because my dermatologist only did a shave biopsy of a suspected leg mole that looked like melanoma – and turned out to be melanoma.  I had asked him to fully remove it – going deep enough to get the roots – but he didn't.  Won't be going back to that jerk!!

Anyway, the melanoma specialist he referred me to couldn't get me in for five weeks to do the Mohs – so in the meantime (four weeks after the shave)  I've had some swelling in the area of the shave biopsy and can only wonder – is it metastasizing now because the careless dermatologist may have cut into the melanoma instead of fully removing it??

I know, from Internet research, that most dermatologists today are doing shaves for suspected melanoma instead of the punch biopsies they should be doing to be safe and fair to the patient.  But the fact that most are doing shaves, doesn't make that OK or even the best choice.

I won't be having my Moh's until next week.  Can anyone offer me some reassurance about this fiasco?  I am really stressed about it and feel that all this could have been avoided is only my dermatologist had done what I asked!!

For:  casagrayson

Also, I forgot to tell you that I couldn't see what you sent above your statement "Forgive me if I'm wrong . . ."  I couldn't see it because it said "a plugin is needed to display this content" and I didn't have the right plugin to do it.  Could you please re-send that missing information in a way that I wouldn't need a plug-in to read it.  Thanks!

FirstMelanoma

For:  casagrayson

Also, I forgot to tell you that I couldn't see what you sent above your statement "Forgive me if I'm wrong . . ."  I couldn't see it because it said "a plugin is needed to display this content" and I didn't have the right plugin to do it.  Could you please re-send that missing information in a way that I wouldn't need a plug-in to read it.  Thanks!

FirstMelanoma

For:  casagrayson

Also, I forgot to tell you that I couldn't see what you sent above your statement "Forgive me if I'm wrong . . ."  I couldn't see it because it said "a plugin is needed to display this content" and I didn't have the right plugin to do it.  Could you please re-send that missing information in a way that I wouldn't need a plug-in to read it.  Thanks!

FirstMelanoma

Thanks, Casagrayson, for your response.  As my user name indicates, I'm new at this melanoma stuff.  Only today learned about a "shave" versus a "punch" biopsy.  Thanks for mentioning a WLE (wide local excision) – that may be what I am planned for next week at the cancer center, but I thought my dermatologist said "Moh's".  Of course, I won't be returning to that guy!!

Would you please tell me something about what to expect with a WLE.  It is really a big, deep area removed?  Is it something I should take a Tylenol Extra Strength for before having?  Also, if I'm wrong and if they plan a Moh's instead of a WLE, should I just refuse it?  Please explain why Moh's aren't used with melanoma.  Is a WLE a larger area than a Moh's?

Please share your experience or your loved one's experience regarding a WLE.  Thanks.  I'm starved for info!

Thanks, Casagrayson, for your response.  As my user name indicates, I'm new at this melanoma stuff.  Only today learned about a "shave" versus a "punch" biopsy.  Thanks for mentioning a WLE (wide local excision) – that may be what I am planned for next week at the cancer center, but I thought my dermatologist said "Moh's".  Of course, I won't be returning to that guy!!

Would you please tell me something about what to expect with a WLE.  It is really a big, deep area removed?  Is it something I should take a Tylenol Extra Strength for before having?  Also, if I'm wrong and if they plan a Moh's instead of a WLE, should I just refuse it?  Please explain why Moh's aren't used with melanoma.  Is a WLE a larger area than a Moh's?

Please share your experience or your loved one's experience regarding a WLE.  Thanks.  I'm starved for info!

Thanks, Casagrayson, for your response.  As my user name indicates, I'm new at this melanoma stuff.  Only today learned about a "shave" versus a "punch" biopsy.  Thanks for mentioning a WLE (wide local excision) – that may be what I am planned for next week at the cancer center, but I thought my dermatologist said "Moh's".  Of course, I won't be returning to that guy!!

Would you please tell me something about what to expect with a WLE.  It is really a big, deep area removed?  Is it something I should take a Tylenol Extra Strength for before having?  Also, if I'm wrong and if they plan a Moh's instead of a WLE, should I just refuse it?  Please explain why Moh's aren't used with melanoma.  Is a WLE a larger area than a Moh's?

Please share your experience or your loved one's experience regarding a WLE.  Thanks.  I'm starved for info!