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Skin Cancer? Skin Cancer... anyone had it or been treated for precancer spots? Just curious if anyone relates or has any stories to share. For me... had 7 liquid nitrogen treatments a few weeks ago and one biopsy. Turns out I have basal cell carcinoma on my ear. (Oh, the sins of my youth.) Surgery coming soon and it sounds like the rate of recovery is very good. Oh course my dermatologist asked me if I use sun screen, but have to admit I never gave much thought to covering my ears with the stuff. :eek: |
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 |
I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma. Some people know that I work with Breast Cancer patients but my job also involves skin cancer as well, mostly Melanomas or Squamous Cell. I believe Basal Cell is not an aggressive metastatic cancer but I do not have any experience with it. Are you having surgery to remove more of the area to achieve good margins of the cancerous area? Is it a plastic surgeon doing the surgery? I hope that you have a fast and complete recovery from your surgery. :hug: |
My husband has had 2 basal cell skin cancers removed, one on his upper lip and one on his back. The first surgery they did was the MOHS surgery. Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Skin Cancer Treatment In New York The surgeon actually had to remove about the size of a quarter and he has no visible scaring. The one that was removed from his back they did a traditional removal and his scar is horrible. I highly recommend the MOHS if there is a surgeon in your area that does this type. |
My mom battles it everyday. :( She goes almost monthly for surgeries. She has had to have her whole pinky finger and part of her hand amputated and she also has it on her head and had a huge part removed and that part has healed nicely and not a large dent it was before. She has spots removed monthly. My dad had to have a large part of his ear taken off and the plastic surgeon made it look like you can't even tell. |
Oh Lisa :(. I've never thought of the ears either! I've never put sunscreen on my ears even tho I use it on my face. Keep thinking positive, and know I'm thinking of you and sending goodness too :love:. When is the surgery? |
I had a place on my back that was Melanoma taken off, it left about a one inch scar. Good thing was they got it all. Hope all goes well for you!!:) |
Lisa, sorry to hear you are facing this. I'm sure it will turn out ok, but I'm sending prayers your way. I had a basal cell spot removed from my chest 2 years ago. It healed up fine, and all check ups since then have been clear. |
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Good to hear a plastic surgeon was able to help make your Dad's ear look great. I have to admit I have thought about that also with my ear. |
My father was diagnosed with stage 4 Melanoma quite a number of years ago. The doctors here in Boston were not giving hiim much hope. They said the cancerous growth was in an inoperable area and werent giving him much time to live. He did his own research and found a study group in California at the John Wayne Cancer Center. The doctor there opperated and removed the growth. he had to fly back and forth to Cali for quite awhile for treatments. Its been many years now , i forgot how many. ( at least 10 years i think )and he is Cancer Free, its just amazing, his success story |
Lisa, Sorry you are going through this. Sending (hugs) and prayers that everything goes smoothly for you. |
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. |
I forgot to mention that the MOHS procedure is great because they do it very slowly in layers to achieve clear margins without removing more than is necessary. The only down side for my DH was that it took several hours, most of which was sitting in the waiting room between slicing & Dr. looking at slides. |
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. |
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. |
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! |
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Thank you Shinja, for the positive thoughts. |
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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. ;) |
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. |
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 |
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:) |
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! :D ) 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!! |
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 |
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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. ;) |
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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!!:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool: |
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. |
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