Needing Some Answers

Hmmm.
I've had things removed that were suspicious. They were sent to the lab and I found out in a few days what the exact diagnosis was. Thankfully, no melanoma or anything.
If she is having her procedure in the dermatologist's office, that's usually the way it works. I've had things removed that required stitches and it was all done in the office. (On the other hand, I had things removed for biopsy purposes that didn't even leave a scar).
However, based on your daughter's age, they may be doing things differently as far as sedation, etc. Things done at the hospital can usually be sent to the lab and looked at right away.
These are questions you should be asking the dermatologist, how the procedure works, the length of time for results.
My son has a black spot on his earlobe and it looks like his ear is pierced, but we've had it checked and thankfully it's just a flat little mole. More a freckle actually.

These things can be scary and it's so good that this is being examined further now as opposed to waiting.
I, personally, would avoid looking on the internet because you will find a million differing things and it might just make you more nervous. Talk to the doctor to get your questions answered.
Like I said, I had some pretty awful looking things removed and none of them were cancerous, thank God.
Try not to think the worst and scare your daughter. That won't help anything.

I'll pray that this is just precautionary and that's she's just fine.

Best wishes.

Didn't the doctor tell you how long it would take to get the test results? I would highly suggest calling the dermatologist or your daughter's doctor and posing these questions to him or her. If you have another appointment coming up soon, make a list of questions and put it in your purse now. (I always make the list and it sits on my desk at home while I am in the doc's office trying to remember what it said!)

Good luck to you and your family.

It really depends. Test results like this that have to be sent to a pathologist for review can take up to 2-3 business days (at least that's how long my biopsy for my cancerous lymph nodes took) - it had to be sent to 3 pathologists before they could positively identify it as Hodgkins lymphoma.

My suggestion is to stay off the internet. You will only panic yourself. Believe me, I've been there. Unless you know what to look for, the internet will lead you down many paths of anxiety unnecessarily.

Sites like WebMD are good, MayoClinic.com, American Cancer Society.

Treatment may be based upon the kind of melanoma, location, etc.

I'd call the dermatologist back with a list of questions and tell them that you need some clarity so you don't go insane.

This is a study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. I'm hoping it helps calm your fears somewhat:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/11...

Whatever you do, don't scare yourself into thinking worst-case scenarios. That's tough to do while awaiting procedures and results. Your daughter will pick up on your worry and that won't help her. I would ask your doc the questions you posed here. (It's hard to think of all the questions you want to ask sometimes!) Go out and do something fun together and keep to your routine as well. Good luck!

I think it's uncommom for kids, but statistics aren't helpful when it's your child. The test will take several days to come back, and will be done when they send the specimen to the lab after removal. Call the Dr.'s office and ask about follow-up treatment, removal may be enough.

The results will likely take about 2-3 business days to come back. I just finished treatment for breast cancer and it took 2 business days for my biopsy results to come back (felt like eternity though!). I would agree with DanaW and try to stay off of the internet. It is scary enough without reading all about worst case scenarios. Go to the sites she recommended just so that you can formulate some questions for the doctor once the results are in. I'll be praying the best for your daughter and your family. Hang in there!