MyMelanomaTeam

Is it unusual for a surgical oncologist to order imaging before the second biopsy results?

It's not necessarily unusual, especially with scalp melanoma. Your surgical oncologist is being thorough given a few factors:

Why imaging might be ordered early
- Positive margins (including depth) from your first biopsy mean they Show Full Answer

Is it unusual for a surgical oncologist to order imaging before the second biopsy results?

It's not necessarily unusual, especially with scalp melanoma. Your surgical oncologist is being thorough given a few factors:

Why imaging might be ordered early:
- Positive margins (including depth) from your first biopsy mean they didn't get all the melanoma tissue, so the full depth might be deeper than 0.6mm
- Scalp melanomas can be more aggressive and have higher rates of spreading to lymph nodes
- Imaging helps with staging and treatment planning, and getting it done early can speed up your overall care

About the punch biopsy:

Your oncologist likely did a punch biopsy instead of another shave because it goes deeper into the skin layers. This helps them get a more complete picture of the melanoma's true depth since the first biopsy had positive depth margins.

While your initial characteristics were favorable, the positive margins mean they need more information. The scans help rule out any spread and ensure they have the complete picture before planning your treatment. This proactive approach is actually good medical practice for scalp melanomas.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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