Can I Trust My Biopsy?
Pigeons01-16-2004, 03:55 PMI've had BCC's before, and a questionable spot and lump appeared on my nose last October, so I freaked out. It looked like a tiny blackhead that was popped yet never healed (though it never bled or oozed), and a small lump developed around the area.
I had it biopsied two weeks ago. The derm didn't think much of it; he said it was probably a vein that was feeding an area of my nose, creating a "papule" of blood (thus the lump). But beecause I'm a high-risk person for skin cancer, he took a biopsy anyway. Quite a bit of blood came out w/the biopsy—which the derm said probably confirmed his suspicions that it was just a blood papule.
They hadn't called me back for two weeks, so I called today, and the nurse told me it was just a benign growth, and that the doctor did not request any kind of follow up for it.
Is it okay to stop worrying? If this isn't cancer, then what the heck is it? I know I should be relieved, but I have heard horror stories about cancers on the nose, so if this is cancer, I want to take care of it as soon as possible.lidia0901-16-2004, 05:17 PMHi Pigeons
I would say it's ok to stop worrying about it but I think somehow you need a bit more convincing of the fact that the biopsy was benign. Could you have a chat with the doc for a bit more reassurance?
I had a malignant melanoma plus a number of benign moles removed so I know that not worrying is easier said than done. The explanation you were given sounds feasible though. If it isn't cancer, then I think it'll be what they said it was. We get all kinds of strange lumps & bumps on our skin - most thankfully innocent!
Best wishes.
Lidia :)Saraly01-16-2004, 06:10 PMI had a benign bump on my nose that bled a lot too. I was sure it was a BCC but it was a benign something or other.
I agree with Lidia though, speak with your doctor to put your mind at ease.Pigeons01-16-2004, 06:47 PMThanks, you two. I will ask my doctor what it was. (I wonder why the nurse didn't just tell me on the phone today.)
Saraly, what did you do to heal/fix the benign bump on your nose? Mine isn't even noticeable, but I don't want a bump on my nose for no reason.
Also, would the biopsy have revealed if this lesion is PRE-cancerous?
Thanks.Pigeons01-19-2004, 06:25 PMSaraly, what did you do to heal/fix the benign bump on your nose? Mine isn't even noticeable, but I don't want a bump on my nose for no reason.
Also, would the biopsy have revealed if this lesion is PRE-cancerous?Saraly01-19-2004, 07:37 PMThe biopsy would reveal if the bump was pre-cancerous. Most of mine came off with the biopsy but there's still a slight reddish discoloration so I use cover stick to hide it just as I would do with a pimple.Pigeons02-01-2004, 09:30 PMSaraly, my nose still has a red spot, and it's been about three weeks since my biopsy.
I remember you had a biopsy on your nose. Did your nose stay "wounded" for a while? I know the nose is unforgiving, but I'm getting a bit anxious wondering what this spot actually is. I have an appointment with another dermatologist Feb. 12.Saraly02-02-2004, 07:42 AMYes, I still have a red spot. I'm starting to think it will always be there. I use a little dab of cover stick in addition to my regular make-up.
I had it biopsied two weeks ago. The derm didn't think much of it; he said it was probably a vein that was feeding an area of my nose, creating a "papule" of blood (thus the lump). But beecause I'm a high-risk person for skin cancer, he took a biopsy anyway. Quite a bit of blood came out w/the biopsy—which the derm said probably confirmed his suspicions that it was just a blood papule.
They hadn't called me back for two weeks, so I called today, and the nurse told me it was just a benign growth, and that the doctor did not request any kind of follow up for it.
Is it okay to stop worrying? If this isn't cancer, then what the heck is it? I know I should be relieved, but I have heard horror stories about cancers on the nose, so if this is cancer, I want to take care of it as soon as possible.lidia0901-16-2004, 05:17 PMHi Pigeons
I would say it's ok to stop worrying about it but I think somehow you need a bit more convincing of the fact that the biopsy was benign. Could you have a chat with the doc for a bit more reassurance?
I had a malignant melanoma plus a number of benign moles removed so I know that not worrying is easier said than done. The explanation you were given sounds feasible though. If it isn't cancer, then I think it'll be what they said it was. We get all kinds of strange lumps & bumps on our skin - most thankfully innocent!
Best wishes.
Lidia :)Saraly01-16-2004, 06:10 PMI had a benign bump on my nose that bled a lot too. I was sure it was a BCC but it was a benign something or other.
I agree with Lidia though, speak with your doctor to put your mind at ease.Pigeons01-16-2004, 06:47 PMThanks, you two. I will ask my doctor what it was. (I wonder why the nurse didn't just tell me on the phone today.)
Saraly, what did you do to heal/fix the benign bump on your nose? Mine isn't even noticeable, but I don't want a bump on my nose for no reason.
Also, would the biopsy have revealed if this lesion is PRE-cancerous?
Thanks.Pigeons01-19-2004, 06:25 PMSaraly, what did you do to heal/fix the benign bump on your nose? Mine isn't even noticeable, but I don't want a bump on my nose for no reason.
Also, would the biopsy have revealed if this lesion is PRE-cancerous?Saraly01-19-2004, 07:37 PMThe biopsy would reveal if the bump was pre-cancerous. Most of mine came off with the biopsy but there's still a slight reddish discoloration so I use cover stick to hide it just as I would do with a pimple.Pigeons02-01-2004, 09:30 PMSaraly, my nose still has a red spot, and it's been about three weeks since my biopsy.
I remember you had a biopsy on your nose. Did your nose stay "wounded" for a while? I know the nose is unforgiving, but I'm getting a bit anxious wondering what this spot actually is. I have an appointment with another dermatologist Feb. 12.Saraly02-02-2004, 07:42 AMYes, I still have a red spot. I'm starting to think it will always be there. I use a little dab of cover stick in addition to my regular make-up.