hello, i am 28 y/o and am going to the dermatologist to get some moles
looked at.
im not certain at this point they are cancerous in any way, based on using
the ABCD method, but still my fears are high....i guess it's the human mind
always predicting the worst.
i have a few questions:
is there a way to check and see if the moles are cancerous via some other
method than needle extraction? i have read so many horror stories regarding
this procedure, i worry about the potential of a needle biopsy spreading
cancer cells to my lymph nodes (if it is cancerous). what about ultrasound?
magnetic imaging?
as far as removal, what do you guys recommend? surgical extraction?
cryotherapy? laser?
based on what i read, laser seems to be a good choice.
thanks
christopher.a.dowling@gmail.com - 30 May 2005 01:07 GMT
Dermoscopy is used by some. Sensitivity and specificity of this method
appear to be good, but it's a specialized procedure practice by few at
this time.
Needle biopsy is not generally used on skin lesions. Best for
pigmented skin lesions is complete primary excision (thus no disruption
of the lesion itself and complete removal).