Skin Cancer?

[Lisa and Pic]

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.

[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

[megansmomma]

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.

[jadabug]

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.

[Breny]

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.

[Wylie's Mom]

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 . When is the surgery?

[dispatcher]

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!!

[MauiGirl]

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.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by jadabug

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 Dermatologist sent me to a Mohs surgeon also. Hopefully no scars, but it is on my ear, so not that important.

Originally Posted by megansmomma

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.

Thanks Jodi, from what I have read a Mohs surgeon does those margins. Do you have any knowledge about that type of surgery?

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by dispatcher

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!!

I am glad they got all of it too. Bless you.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

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 . When is the surgery?

Thank you Ann. Surgery is August 9. it doesn't sound like it is too awful, because I can drive myself back and forth, I think.

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

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.

Good to hear your spot is clear. Were you alerted because it was something that would just not go away? (That is what made me start finally paying attention. )

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by Breny

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 my goodness, I am so sorry for your Mom and Dad. That must be very difficult for your Mom with the amputations. Sending prayers and positive thoughts.

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.

[mom of 3 dogs]

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

[roseslevi]

Lisa,
Sorry you are going through this. Sending (hugs) and prayers that everything goes smoothly for you.

[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.

[MauiGirl]

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.