I recently had a funky looking mole shaved for biopsy and after going to local lab it was sent onto the Mayo Clinic. Is it most likely then a melanoma?
Not sure what your local lab means in context - is it just perhaps your clinic or a smaller local hospital?
As a retired RN I do know it’s not uncommon for one place to ask for another opinion. Mayo obviously is an excellent place with much experience in many fields. Good that this was how it’s being handled!
I don’t think it necessarily means a melanoma specifically but perhaps it’s more unusual looking or margins were questionable if it is malignant…wishing you best of luck and wishes!
Welcome to Mayo Connect.
Either local lab wanted a 2nd opinion or results were indecisive.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Per Mayo Lab web site, melanoma accounts for just 1% of skin cancer diagnoses, Sometimes samples sent to lab are just to distinguish between benign and malignant cases.
It is hard not to worry, but at this point all you can do is to wait for results.
Did they give you an idea how long to get results?
Welcome to Mayo Connect.
Either local lab wanted a 2nd opinion or results were indecisive.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Per Mayo Lab web site, melanoma accounts for just 1% of skin cancer diagnoses, Sometimes samples sent to lab are just to distinguish between benign and malignant cases.
It is hard not to worry, but at this point all you can do is to wait for results.
Did they give you an idea how long to get results?
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | May 19 10:30am
@cdee123 I live in a rural part of Michigan. Our pathologists will send specimens to Mayo Clinic when they want a second opinion. That does not mean your biopsy is melanoma. What the pathologist gets in the lab depends on how careful the provider is when removing the mole.
But my question is why do they need to send it for a second opinion when basal and squamaous cell don’t get sent on.? My husband’s 2 basal and squamous cell ones were reading 2-3 days. What makes possible melanoma harder to detect?
The pathologist is being diligent and not wanting to
overread subtle change. Oft times it is best that it is
not an obvious diagnosis and they want to be sure
about not suggesting unnecessary surgery. Second opinions are often used in pigmented growths.
Ok so now the report says doesn’t meet criteria for melanoma but very abnormal and it needs to come out ASAP. So had it out today and she said it could still be down deep or on margins. Didn’t know that was possible
Not sure what your local lab means in context - is it just perhaps your clinic or a smaller local hospital?
As a retired RN I do know it’s not uncommon for one place to ask for another opinion. Mayo obviously is an excellent place with much experience in many fields. Good that this was how it’s being handled!
I don’t think it necessarily means a melanoma specifically but perhaps it’s more unusual looking or margins were questionable if it is malignant…wishing you best of luck and wishes!
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Not sure what your local lab means in context - is it just perhaps your clinic or a smaller local hospital?
As a retired RN I do know it’s not uncommon for one place to ask for another opinion. Mayo obviously is an excellent place with much experience in many fields. Good that this was how it’s being handled!
I don’t think it necessarily means a melanoma specifically but perhaps it’s more unusual looking or margins were questionable if it is malignant…wishing you best of luck and wishes!
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Hug
1 ReactionMost likely the lab sends out all the biopsy samples it takes to be examined at a specialized lab.
I hope it's negative.
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1 Reaction@cdee123
Welcome to Mayo Connect.
Either local lab wanted a 2nd opinion or results were indecisive.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Per Mayo Lab web site, melanoma accounts for just 1% of skin cancer diagnoses, Sometimes samples sent to lab are just to distinguish between benign and malignant cases.
It is hard not to worry, but at this point all you can do is to wait for results.
Did they give you an idea how long to get results?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsIf not sent on a few days but not since the change, don’t know. Thanks
@cdee123 I live in a rural part of Michigan. Our pathologists will send specimens to Mayo Clinic when they want a second opinion. That does not mean your biopsy is melanoma. What the pathologist gets in the lab depends on how careful the provider is when removing the mole.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsBut my question is why do they need to send it for a second opinion when basal and squamaous cell don’t get sent on.? My husband’s 2 basal and squamous cell ones were reading 2-3 days. What makes possible melanoma harder to detect?
The pathologist is being diligent and not wanting to
overread subtle change. Oft times it is best that it is
not an obvious diagnosis and they want to be sure
about not suggesting unnecessary surgery. Second opinions are often used in pigmented growths.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsMakes sense thank you!
Ok so now the report says doesn’t meet criteria for melanoma but very abnormal and it needs to come out ASAP. So had it out today and she said it could still be down deep or on margins. Didn’t know that was possible
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you!!