Anyone here ever have Basal Cell Carcinoma?

[Simba's Mom]

DH just had a biopsy and got diagnosed with it for the second time in a different location than the first). In between the 2 times he's had Basal cell carcinoma, he had melanoma. First time he had basal cell carcinoma, he went to the cancer treatment center that treated him for the melanoma. However, this time he's having it treated by his home town dermatologist. That's because while he was going for check-ups post-melanoma, he kept pointing out this basal cell spot, and they insisted "Oh-that's just a sebaceous cyst" and never biopsied it. Home town dermatologist biopsied it and diagnosed basal cell carcinoma. Thanks for letting me vent! Anyone else go through this?

 

[low-key]

I was born into a world where you always believed a Doctor and a cop were all outstanding people who went far above for all people, after Rodney King, my world has collapsed. Hoping all goes smooth for hubby

 

[Psychodisney]

I had a basal cell removed for the first time about 12 years ago. I had switched derms due to insurance and he would just blow off anything. I returned this year to my previous derm...and had 4 different basal cell carcinomas removed! He considers them all superficial and was able to just do the scrape technique in the office. Says they are more of a nuisance but should be removed.

 

[La Belle]

I've also had basal cell carcinoma. Mine was located on my face. It was a couple years ago now. The doctor used the Moh's technique. I have almost no scarring. No one can even see where I had it. I'm very impressed. shortly after the surgery I had some similar spots show up on my face. For me the doctor biopsied it without question. Overall I've been very happy. Now I go see the dermatologist every 6 months.
I'm sorry your DH was ignored.You have a good reason to vent!

 

[minkydog]

I am very fair-skinned, so I have a history of several pretty bad sunburns as a kid (way before we had sunscree.) I have had 4 basal cell cancers removed, 2 from the same side of my nose. They did the Mohs surgery and I couldn't be happier with the result. The dermatologist really did magic with his suturing--if you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't even see it. Good luck to your DH!

 

[asta]

I had a basal cell melanoma removed from my upper arm with MOHS surgery. I noticed this spot and told my doctor about it for 2 years. A red sore formed whenever it was exposed to sun. He kept looking and poking and saying it was nothing. Finally said that he would send me to a dermatologist if it would make me fill better. The dermatologist also said it was nothing but at least biopsied it and it came back positive for basal cell.

The point is that even a spot neglected for way too long was safely removed, albeit after 4 rounds of MOHS. The other thing I learned is to demand a biopsy if you think something is wrong. Don't wait for the doctor. It is your health and I learned to take the lead.

 

[DisneyOma]

I had a basal cell melanoma removed from my upper arm with MOHS surgery. I noticed this spot and told my doctor about it for 2 years. A red sore formed whenever it was exposed to sun. He kept looking and poking and saying it was nothing. Finally said that he would send me to a dermatologist if it would make me fill better. The dermatologist also said it was nothing but at least biopsied it and it came back positive for basal cell.

The point is that even a spot neglected for way too long was safely removed, albeit after 4 rounds of MOHS. The other thing I learned is to demand a biopsy if you think something is wrong. Don't wait for the doctor. It is your health and I learned to take the lead.

I've never heard of 'basal cell melanoma' - did you mean carcinoma?

OP, I've had melanoma, and a few precancerous growths. My dad was covered with basal cell carcinoma for years before he ever did anything about any of the dozens (yes!) of lesions. His dermatologist had to do some invasive surgery for a few of the larger growths, but was able to remove every spot. More sprouted up, but by then my dad was also diagnosed with lung cancer and died a few months later. Basal is the least invasive of the skin cancers.

 

[NewRVLady]

I am very fair-skinned, so I have a history of several pretty bad sunburns as a kid (way before we had sunscree.) I have had 4 basal cell cancers removed, 2 from the same side of my nose. They did the Mohs surgery and I couldn't be happier with the result. The dermatologist really did magic with his suturing--if you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't even see it. Good luck to your DH!

My DH had the MOHS surgery (the great thing about it-is all the cancer is gotten during surgery-because the cells are tested before you are sewn up)
He had 2 places on top of his bald head so there was a scar 3-4 inches long-with the stitches he looked like a Monster
(but it was bandaged for a while)
we were SOOOOOO pleased with the results-you would never know he had this scar on his head!

OP-I am curious if he had MOHS surgery the FIRST time? Is his dermatologist certified to do it? It is a specialist who preforms this-we actually only have one Doctor in South Louisiana that does this (outside of new Orleans)-he is based in Baton Rouge -that is who his dermatologist referred him to.

 

[mjkacmom]

In our fair family, we consider them a nuisance. When my mom went for her first appointment to discuss her options with her very aggressive cancer, she was asked about any previous cancers. She said none, I mentioned all of the basal cell things she had removed, and she told me they didn't count. Just being Irish.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just being Irish.

So glad to hear that it's so common. I was freaked over DH having it twice (besides the melanoma). He's not Irish, but just as bad, skin cancer-wise. He's Sweedish and German. Guess that's what I get for falling for blue eyes! He had MOHS for the last basal cell carcinoma, and it took about 5-6 hours at a major cancer center. This time his local dermatologist is going to do "mini-MOHS", whatever that means.

 

[littleblackegg]

I've had a few removed and expect will need more removed. One was a little complicated because it was near my tear duct and a plastics guy had to do it. Looks fine. No scarring. I am of Irish and German extraction and have had many sunburns as a child.

 

[winterman]

I had a basal cell removed 8 to 10 years ago. It was on my upper cheek, near my left eye. As soon as I pointed it out to my primary doc, she knew it should be biopsied. She did the biopsy and the removal herself. It was bigger than she expected but she got it all and now the scar is barely noticeable.

 

[Tigerlulu]

I'm in South Louisiana too, but other side of BR. Went to Houston to the big cancer center. They were fantastic! My local derm isn't so great and was upset when my specialist didn't refer my follow ups to him, but did them himself. I've left that local derm. I had my spot taken off my face with MOHs and portions of my scar were reconstructed twice. I had a handful of vbeams also. I now have basically no scar!

My doc teaches the surgery. He says too many docs aren't so concerned with whether or not their patient likes the results. It wasn't a big deal at all to do the reconstructs.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

So far I've had two basal cell carcinomas removed (and I'm told I will get more in the future). The first one was on the side of my nose. I had seen 2 different dermatologists, the first one more than once, and they both told me it was nothing. The first one even told me if I got it removed it would "Leave a big hole in your face". After talking to my ex-MIL one day about her dermatologist, I decided she sounded lovely and made an appointment. She walked in to examine me and looked at my nose and said "What is that?" I told her that I had it looked at several other times and I was told it was nothing. She told me "Oh, no dear, that looks like a basal cell carcinoma!" She removed it and had it biopsied and sure enough it was a BCC. I had the MOHS procedure done by a specialist within the same office. When I went back for my 6 month check-up after the procedure to my usual dermatologist, she looked at my nose and said "Wait, which side was it on?" She asks that almost every time I see her now and it makes me happy - I can see the difference but most people can't.
A year later, I had a mole on my abdomen that would itch it seemed every time I mowed the grass (weird, I know) so I had her look at it. She said it looked weird, but she didn't know what it was. She removed that one and it came back as a BCC also. She didn't get it all the first time, so I had to go back and she got it all the second time. That was over a year ago and the scar still looks terrible.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm in South Louisiana too, but other side of BR. Went to Houston to the big cancer center. They were fantastic! My local derm isn't so great and was upset when my specialist didn't refer my follow ups to him, but did them himself. I've left that local derm. I had my spot taken off my face with MOHs and portions of my scar were reconstructed twice. I had a handful of vbeams also. I now have basically no scar!

My doc teaches the surgery. He says too many docs aren't so concerned with whether or not their patient likes the results. It wasn't a big deal at all to do the reconstructs.

Yup, DH went to that same big cancer center in Houston. They did a great job with the first basal cell and with the melanoma. But unfortunately, they kept telling him that this basal cell carcinoma was "just a sebaceous cyst" and saw no reason to even biopsy it. So his faith in them isn't too great right now.

 

[NewRVLady]

I'm in South Louisiana too, but other side of BR. Went to Houston to the big cancer center. They were fantastic! My local derm isn't so great and was upset when my specialist didn't refer my follow ups to him, but did them himself. I've left that local derm. I had my spot taken off my face with MOHs and portions of my scar were reconstructed twice. I had a handful of vbeams also. I now have basically no scar!

My doc teaches the surgery. He says too many docs aren't so concerned with whether or not their patient likes the results. It wasn't a big deal at all to do the reconstructs.

Great! The Baton Rouge Doc DH went to goes to Lafayette once a week-and his place was packed! Very pleased with him and his staff.

 

[asta]

I've never heard of 'basal cell melanoma' - did you mean carcinoma?

OP, I've had melanoma, and a few precancerous growths. My dad was covered with basal cell carcinoma for years before he ever did anything about any of the dozens (yes!) of lesions. His dermatologist had to do some invasive surgery for a few of the larger growths, but was able to remove every spot. More sprouted up, but by then my dad was also diagnosed with lung cancer and died a few months later. Basal is the least invasive of the skin cancers.

My apologies. You are right, I used the wrong word.

Still my main point is don't wait on your doctors to tell you something is wrong. Skin cancer does not always manifest in the usual way and you know best what is abnormal for your skin. If you think something is wrong ask for a biopsy.

 

[maxaroni]

I have not had BCC, however, my mom had several spots. 3 weeks ago I got what I thought was going to be a pimple on my face. However, it was dark brown/black. I just went to the dermatologist as I was nervous it could be nodular melanoma. She said its benign and a hemangioma. Skin cancer is scary and DH and I are of the age where we grew up baking in the sun with little protection.

 

[mohstek]

Cancer can start any place in the body. Skin cancer starts when cells in the skin grow out of control and crowd out normal cells. Cancer is always named for the place where it starts. So when skin cancer spreads to the bone, it’s still called skin cancer. It’s not called bone cancer unless it starts from cells in the bone.

The two most common kinds of skin cancers are

Basal cell cancer which starts in the lowest layer of the skin
Squamous cell cancer which starts in the top layer of the skin

In a biopsy, the doctor takes out a small piece of tissue to check it for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure if you have cancer and what kind it is.

If you have skin cancer, the doctor will want to find out how far it has spread. This is called staging. You may have heard other people say that their cancer was “stage 1” or “stage 2.” Your doctor will want to find out the stage of your cancer to help decide what type of treatment is best for you.