Question:
I'm going to have a mole removed soon and I have a question. But first
some background from the American Cancer Society website. They say that
after a mole is removed, when a diagnosis of melanoma is established by
biopsy, the site will need to be excised again (re-excision). More skin
will be cut away from the melanoma site and the tissue will be examined
to make sure that no cancer cells remain in the skin. My question is:
What happens if after the re-excision, they examine the tissue and they
still find some cancer cells in the skin? Do they do a third or fourth
or fifth excision until there are no cancer cells remaining in the skin?
In other words do they keep doing re-excisions until they are sure that
no cancer cells remain in the skin ?
Answer:
Moles come in various shapes, colours, sizes and depths and most are benign.
The surgeon makes the decision on the spot about how deep (or wide) it must
be excised.
Then it's sent to a pathology lab.
Unless there's something you haven't posted, I think you are getting way too
far ahead of yourself.
I've had quite a few removed, over 40 (or so) years, and they were just
fine. No problem.
So let's talk after your surgery, if melanoma is found.
Wait for the written pathology report before you start anticipating trouble
or "ifs" "ands" or "buts".
