Glad it worked out. I've found that keeping an eye on moles myself is useful. Of all the many pieces I've had cut out, the only moderately suspicious one was one I identified. You see your body every day and can see changes better than anyone if you are aware.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. What a torturous wait. The mole was benign. Thank God. Thank you all for the great referrals and support. It has started me thinking about how I can take better care of my health.

Thank you for coming back and posting. I am so happy for you OP!!!!!!! It is so nice to hear some good news! You made my day!

OP here. What a torturous wait. The mole was benign. Thank God. Thank you all for the great referrals and support. It has started me thinking about how I can take better care of my health.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why everyone is so hung up on who the "top doc" is without knowing what "top doc" means. Rated "top doc" by a magazine? Most well known and monetary contributor to local hospital? What you need to find is a doc who focuses on diagnosing skin cancer.

Ok

Do
You recommend one in NoVa that isn't all about Botox?

Not OP, but the Skin Cancer Center in Leesburg is excellent. The do ZERO botox and zero cosmetic procedures not related to skin cancer removal, mole remobal, and biopsies.

They are 100% all about prevention, early detection, and treatment.

OP - any news?

Waiting for results is always tough, but be grateful that your dermatologist was quick to biopsy. The newness of it was probably the biggest red flag - the original A(symetry) B(orders - irregular) C(olor) D(iameter) for melanoma have been updated to include E(volving). I had a mole that didn't fit any of the ABCD criteria but turned out to be melanoma - and required additional surgery (thankfully this was 11+ years ago and I have been healthy since). My conservative dermatologist saved my life. I hope it isn't anything - that's the best news. If melanoma in-situ you shouldn't have any follow up other than additional excision and then monitoring your skin. If deeper - getting into Clark level II-V - the protocol could change. I pray it isn't melanoma but if so I highly recommend the specialists at Hopkins.

Dr. Venna at INOVA Fairfax is a melanoma specialist - I can recommend him highly. He will only biopsy what is necessary.

Try not to worry. The mole my doc was super freaked out about turned out to be fine. The mole I was worried about but my doc didn't care about at all turned out to be one step down from melanoma. You can never know.
Just keep going and getting things cut off, year after year and try not to think about it.

Anonymous wrote:I go annually to Hopkins for a full body check of moles. Good you got yours checked. If you got it early you are in good shape.

Not all derms specialize in melanoma, so perhaps his alarm was rooted in caution more than knowledge - you have to be careful about the derms that are really into cosmetic stuff - I have found them to be very uninformed about melanoma.

With a bad family history this is why I don't mess around and go to one at Hopkins that specializes in it.

Who do you see at Hopkins? I don't have family history of melanoma but everyone (mother, father, sister, paternal aunt) has had basal and / or squamous. I have gone for full body checks at my regular derm in DC but agree many downtown seem mostly focused on cosmetic stuff.

Anonymous wrote:OP, if the edges are not irregular, if it's not multicolored, if it's not larger than a pencil eraser, it's not likely melanoma. Even if it is, it's very early and likely 100% curable. Do not panic! Your doctor wanted to remove it in case it's cancer. There are many cancers aside from melanoma. Doctors get very concerned about new moles. My DH gets skin cancer checks every year. He's had several moles removed. Some have been precancerous, not melanoma. Doctors do take melanoma very seriously, but your situation does not sound dire. Relax, even though it's hard. It's very likely you will be fine.

Seconded.

Get regular checkups. At least once a year. Ask your dermatologist if you should be checked twice a year -- if you've had something removed that concerned the doctor, they'll likely switch you to twice a year.

I had something removed that had signs of precancerous "spindle cells." It might not have been anything, but they took appropriate caution and took out a good chunk of skin on my shoulder. I've had a few others removed that were totally benign.

If you work with your dermatologist, your chances of avoiding metastatic cancer are very, very good.

OP, if the edges are not irregular, if it's not multicolored, if it's not larger than a pencil eraser, it's not likely melanoma. Even if it is, it's very early and likely 100% curable. Do not panic! Your doctor wanted to remove it in case it's cancer. There are many cancers aside from melanoma. Doctors get very concerned about new moles. My DH gets skin cancer checks every year. He's had several moles removed. Some have been precancerous, not melanoma. Doctors do take melanoma very seriously, but your situation does not sound dire. Relax, even though it's hard. It's very likely you will be fine.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It's so hard towait 10 days and not freak out. My mole was different from allmy other moles, being that it was pitch black.

I'll try to keep busy with the kids. Nothing like small children to take your mind off yourself.

10 days!? My dr has the results back in 1-2 days. That is a really long time!

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why everyone is so hung up on who the "top doc" is without knowing what "top doc" means. Rated "top doc" by a magazine? Most well known and monetary contributor to local hospital? What you need to find is a doc who focuses on diagnosing skin cancer.

Ok

Do
You recommend one in NoVa that isn't all about Botox?

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have recommendations in Md for a good derm to see for mole checks? Who do people see at Hopkins?

Dr anna chien; I see her in the Columbia satellite office but you can call the main dermatology dept in Baltimore for options there too.

Not sure why everyone is so hung up on who the "top doc" is without knowing what "top doc" means. Rated "top doc" by a magazine? Most well known and monetary contributor to local hospital? What you need to find is a doc who focuses on diagnosing skin cancer.