Skin Cancer?

[shodanusmc]

Lisa, you will be just fine as it soulds like it was caught early. I go in every 6 months to have some actinic keratosis (Pre-cancerous cells) looked for and removed either with liquid nitrogen, a scalple, or efudex. Goes back to my youth, especially when I was playing in the sun in SE Asia.....Had to have some Laser treatment around my neck also. Stay positive, and don't let it get you down.

[Yorkiedaze]

I had the MOHS procedure on both sides of my neck in april. The Skin Cancer Foundation - Mohs Micrographic Surgery | Mohs Surgery They cut out as much as they think would get it all, then they do the MOHS procedure on it. That takes about an hour, but be prepared to stay for 3 hours or more. If they don't get it all the first time, they do it again. All MOHS are done on the same day, so all the patients are there for the same thing, and the Dr. supplies food and drinks for everyone, but you may want to bring what you like to eat and drink. I have a two small scars on each side of my neck. First from the biopsy and the other from the MOHS procedure. I go back this month for a follow up.
Good luck to you.

[Jinger]

Sorry to hear this, Lisa, and hope you will do just fine. My husband had this on his chest and just has a scar, my mother has had a ton of it and really has done well with each procedure, and my father had melanoma many years ago, and they got it all. We're so fortunate they can catch these things so early now.
Good luck with the surgery!

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

Oh my.. I have a few friends with some skin cancers, the worst that happened to them are a few scares... Very small.
I lived in Florida from 5 to 14 and had many sunburns ...I have always been told to watch xfor skin changes. Did you have a lot of sun burns asa a kid.?

Iam sending positive thought that all goes well

Shinja

Hmmm. When I was young I swam for a swim team. That was before sunblock was invented. But really I had several bad burns as a young adult. Old enough to know better, so it was basically self induced. Stupid on my part. Oh well.



Thank you Shinja, for the positive thoughts.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Lisa, you will be just fine as it soulds like it was caught early. I go in every 6 months to have some actinic keratosis (Pre-cancerous cells) looked for and removed either with liquid nitrogen, a scalple, or efudex. Goes back to my youth, especially when I was playing in the sun in SE Asia.....Had to have some Laser treatment around my neck also. Stay positive, and don't let it get you down.

It looks like I am going to be joining you and going every six months too. Don't you just love that liquid nitrogen stuff?

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

Lisa, after many years of sun exposure living in Arizona and Hawaii, I get yearly head to toe skin checkups by my dermatologist. He found the suspicious spot on my chest which I didn't even notice; removed it, and now you can't even see where it was.

Several years ago my husband had a basal cell spot on the top of his ear too, which looked like a tiny blister. He had the MOHS procedure, and his ear looked perfectly normal after, with no further problems.

I'm sure you're going to be fine. Basal cell carcinoma is very easily treatable, and I'm glad it isn't melanoma which can be more serious as it travels.

Hugs to you.

Thanks Sandy for your positive comments. Don't you just love those head to toe exams?

That is exactly what my ear looks like - a little blister that won't go away. I am calling it the slice and bake/eradicate surgery.

[LuvMySissy]

Hi Lisa - my mom and brother-in-law have both had MOHS procedures. It depends on where you go and how they do it. Many dermatologists are certified as surgeons - however when they do the procedure, they tend to pack the wound and send for biopsy to see if margins are good and if not do the procedure again deeper/wider. When my mom had hers, she went to the University of Michigan skin cancer center which has a plastic surgeon in surgery to make sure the scars are minimal (since many of these are on the face/head) and they biopsy immediately to ensure clean margins rather than waiting for days/weeks and then doing another procedure.

Best of luck to you. Major sunscreen, a hat and staying out of the sun as much as possible will be recommended. Basil cells are pretty common and once you've had one it is highly likely you will have others - so you need to be very diligent with follow-up screenings.

[Mom of 3]

I have a spot on my right arm that I just had my Dr. do a biopsy on. It came back Squamous Cell, but he felt he got it all, so he just told me to "watch" it. The spot is about an inch in diameter. He has not mentioned any surgery, yet. I pray your surgery will go fine, and with no complications.
Darlene

[citygirl123]

Hi Lisa,
I have had 3 episodes with basal cell cancer. (California, tanning was in when I was younger.) While they were not fun to have removed and it does give you a scare, basal cell is not an agressive type of cancer. I see my dermatolgist every year now and have him freeze anything that is suspicious. Try not to worry. The advice about the MOHS surgery is good if it is in an obvious place.

Now sunscreen, hats, avoiding any tanning is my lifestyle.
And for that California tan....well, I've become very good at tanning lotions! I still like to wear shorts and sleeveless tops in the summertime and not look blinding white!

Best wishes to you...it will be ok.
Lynn

[Shelby&Seymour]

Lisa,
I had a MOH's surgery done on my chin a few years ago. I had basil cell cancer and they had to do some extensive work.... (you can give me a call on my cell this week if you have any questions). The surgeon that did my surgery also specializes in plastic surgery. (so if you have never noticed my chin.... that is why! ) I was very happy with the results. I DID have to have someone drive me as I was given some pretty good "happy pills" before the surgery. I was off from work for many weeks, too. You may want to call and ask if you need a driver and a few days off from work.
Hope all goes well!!

[Lil Sis]

wow... here I thought I was the one who was at high risk due to my "tanning" days of my teen and early 20s.
I appreciate all the info, and will put on a very high list of having myself checked.

Lisa.. I know you will be ok, but I know it is scary. I thank you for sharing with us, I for one have learned a lot!!

I am send prayers you have a easy time with the treatments
Shinja

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by Shelby&Seymour

Lisa,
I had a MOH's surgery done on my chin a few years ago. I had basil cell cancer and they had to do some extensive work.... (you can give me a call on my cell this week if you have any questions). The surgeon that did my surgery also specializes in plastic surgery. (so if you have never noticed my chin.... that is why! ) I was very happy with the results. I DID have to have someone drive me as I was given some pretty good "happy pills" before the surgery. I was off from work for many weeks, too. You may want to call and ask if you need a driver and a few days off from work.
Hope all goes well!!

Gosh, I did not know that about you and certainly never noticed anything. Did you go out in the sun a bunch as a child?

Driving... they told me it would just be a local and that I could drive. But, if they give me a happy pill, guess I had better call DH. Ha. I did ask about work and they said I could work the next day. Maybe this is a little too positive, or maybe I am still in denial.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by citygirl123

Hi Lisa,
I have had 3 episodes with basal cell cancer. (California, tanning was in when I was younger.) While they were not fun to have removed and it does give you a scare, basal cell is not an agressive type of cancer. I see my dermatolgist every year now and have him freeze anything that is suspicious. Try not to worry. The advice about the MOHS surgery is good if it is in an obvious place.

Now sunscreen, hats, avoiding any tanning is my lifestyle. And for that California tan....well, I've become very good at tanning lotions! I still like to wear shorts and sleeveless tops in the summertime and not look blinding white!

Best wishes to you...it will be ok.
Lynn

Thanks for the well wishes Lynn. I know what you mean about the tanning. I did that more than I will even admit to myself. Now I need to join your lifestyle with hats, etc. So, what tanning lotion do you recommend?

[citygirl123]

Banana Boat has a good line. I mix the dark stuff (Banana Boat) with the Jergens Natural Glow daily moistuizer. Just put 2 dabs in your hand to mix. Just make sure everything is rubbed in or you will have streaks anywhere you leave it wet. Watch to not get too much on elbows, knees, ankles and the inside of the wrist. Those dry spots take on the color and come out darker. I end up with good color and have had many people comment and ask me how to do this recently.

Yeah, it is a pain, but I just put it on my arms, legs after showering in the morning. Since the Jergens is a moisturizer and (little color) it is just like putting on lotion.

Good luck!!

[yorkietalkjilly]

My brother in law and a good friend both have had surgery for this exact same diagnosis and both were Dx'd. and Tx.'d over 15 years ago. They get checked regularly but only one had another spot removed 8 years ago. My BIL passed away last year from Alzheimer's and my friend is hale and hardy. I don't think there is a big worry here as most catch this early and I think treatment is wonderfully successful.