Basal Cell Carcinoma

My cousin has had BCC removal and reconstruction twice. Once on his lip about 30 years ago and more recently on his nose. In both cases you would hardly know. I certainly had to put my glasses on to see the scar on his nose. This was not done privately but National Heath.

I would ask for a second opinion. It will not be pretty to begin with. No operation is but I don’t think there is any need to be “disfigured”. But do it ASAP. It’s not something you can stop and think about.

Oh dear I don’t sound very kind or sympathetic. I just wanted to respond quickly

I'm wondering, Travelinsil if the surgeon meant it would be disfiguring whilst the treatment was ongoing? I know someone who had what sounds to be a similar op. They used skin from the forehead to make her a new nose. The skin had to be moved bit by bit towards her nose through several procedures until the final op. It wasn't pretty but also wasn't horrific either while it was happening, plus she had a dressing on it.

Today, two or three years on, you couldn't possibly tell that anything had ever happened, it's healed brilliantly.

I'd definitely ask for much more information and possibly a second opinion, too.

I hope you're soon on the road to recovery.

Definitely a speedy second opinion. Whatever else, you might hopefully receive some tact and consideration if you pay for it. This guy sounds a bit over blunt, and you need careful explanations and details.

Having said that I know several people who have had a similar problem and their facial scarring healed very quickly and is barely noticeable. Good luck with all this.

My husband has a large BCC on the top of his (bald) head. Doc said he had to have plastic surgery with a graft from his arm. All he could think was his father, who had the same thing done. He just won't go down that path at all because he can't stand the disfigurement side of it.

I don't usually go along with "alternatives" but he made the decision to try a cream called Curaderm. It came with glowing reports . I respected his decision and supported him. He has been using it for several weeks and so far the BCC appears to be disappearing and being replaced by new skin.

I'm not saying that you should use this - it's a personal decision. But do ask for a 2nd opinion - BCCs can be treated in various ways and you shouldn't make a decision until you've looked into all your options.

My mum had two BBCs removed one on her back and one on the side of her nose quite a large area big as a 50p and on a small nose thats quite big She said the procedure was fine and she really only had a patch that was lighter and easily covered with a bit of concealer as the end product
My uncle had one removed under his eye and again not much to see afterwards
Before you go down the route of paying big money ( often done by the same surgeon as the nhs use) ask if you can have a second opinion
The consultant might not be blunt so much as Aspergers I met a few consultant who are extremely clever but no tact or consideration of anything except facts and I know at least two are definitely Aspergers
Do take heart from the experiences on here and try not to panic ( easier said that done I know)/

For some time I had an irritated spot on my nose that kept breaking down and then almost healing again,not in the least painful and really nothing more than these usual spots one gets from time to time.
However on mentioning it to my G.P who took a quick look, he said he would refer me to a Hospital some 60 miles away where a Plastic Surgeon would take a look.
This was in 2009.
On arriving this gentleman appeared ready there and then,scalpel in hand,to "attack" my spot although no one had remotely diagnosed it.
I asked him could I not have a biopsy in the first place and he agreed although as he said and I found out...... it wasn't exactly pleasant.
A few weeks later this same gent actually telephoned me to say yes indeed, it was a BCC.
I asked what was the best way forward and he immediately said he would operate and yes there would be a skin graft to follow........on asking was it really necessary, he simply said he advised it because it could well cause greater trouble later on.
I had already had one BCC removed from under my nose years prior to this, but this was a straightforward `op carried out under GA whilst undergoing another unrelated operation.
I felt I had little choice as I had been very much a sun worshipper throughout my younger years and it seemed I was now paying the price.

Although I had been booked in to arrive by 7.30 am at this same Hospital, it was passed 4pm when eventually I was walked to theatre.
The nose operation was carried out actually by a Registrar with many students actually looking on.
I was given several extremely painful injections into and around the nose,but the worst part for me was when the scalpel actually cut deep into my nose and as I have C.O.P.D............. I found breathing difficult.
Once under way however, I actually talked all the way through,asking questions and taking an interest.
It was not painful at this stage.
Skin for the skin graft was removed from my shoulder blade,deemed a good match,this was taken by another Doctor and again not painful.
Overall the whole procedure took some 80 minutes as there was a lot of dressings following completing the operation.
My DH had the shock of his life when I was wheeled back to my bed,I was not a pretty sight.
However we travelled home that very evening.

Sadly the next 6 weeks or so had us travelling up and down to this same Hospital as I continued to haemorrhage
virtually non stop.............this was an immense issue and was simply dealt with by nurses.......changing the dressings.

I remember having a check up some 6/8 weeks after and this was more conveniently at my own Hospital............however I looked as if I had been in a boxing ring with Mike Tysen........and had come away worse for wear!
It was highly embarrassing having other patients stare or look at me.... pointing and whispering.
But it did heal and it was surprising how eventually when all the swelling had subsided etc,it looked reasonable.

Yes I do have a very obvious scar and the Skin graft seemed to have slipped a little,it is also quite white in colour and stands out as I have a light olive skin.
I tried all manner of make up guises and to a degree it helped.
However over the years and other problems taking centre stage, I now walk about virtually forgetting my scar..............it has been one of those cases where one has to exercise mind over matter,and count ones blessings that there has been no further problems.

I have been honest and fairly blunt,because I think it only fair you have the complete picture.
Were I asked today to redo this operation my honest answer would be NO...........I would live with the problem and keep hoping it got no worse.

However I can but wish you Good Luck Travelinsil...........and by all means get all the info you feel you need.

I had a very small one removed from my arm and TG no recurrence.
A friend had what sounds like the same as you,
Travelinsin. she had a few operations, but managed to stay positive. The surgeon said her nose could be reconstructed.
I haven't seen her since Jan. so don't know how she got on, but she was a fighter and was determined to make the best of it.
I'll try to contact her and see how it went.

BCC are very slow growing so does anyone know the chances of outliving one if say it’s found in your 60 s or 70s
I wonder if not doing anything is really an option or not and would they just wipe their hands of you if you said no or would they give you say 6 monthly checks I wonder why they all seem to rush to the plastic surgery route if they are containable
Anyone know ?

A friend of mine had one on her face - fairly extensive - she was given a cream to put on it which worked.

I so appreciate your replying to my question so quickly. Good and bad and Panache I really feel for you.
I'm almost 72 and asked if it was an option to leave it but he said no it would spread and the surgery would be even more extensive.
I went online this afternoon and researched a technique called Mohs which seems widely used in USA with very good results and found a specialist at the Lister Hospital in London who had glowing reviews for his work and kindness and wrote to him. I got an answer and have an appointment on the 19th at Guys Cancer unit so I'll wait now and see if I am suitable for that technique. Thank you again all of you, how great to have Gransnetters in your corner!

I had a BCC many years ago which I was told was nothing to worry about and so left it. When after about 5 years it hadn't cleared in fact it was deeper more pronounced red and shiny! I saw my new GP who took a sample. Next stop our local hospital who removed it under local anaesthetic, stitched it, and after a couple of weeks or so the stitches came out and that was that! I developed another one some years later but this time I was prescribed cream which did the trick perfectly and again it was no big deal! I can't quite understand why this plastic surgery being banded about when the cream was so effective. I would ask about it if I were you.

I have had one removed years ago in front of my right ear - a small scar under my hair now.
I recently became suspicious about a spot in the same place on the left.... GP says 80% certain.
BUT - I don't have a hospital appt until September!
There was no such wait before.

My BBC was misdiagnosed
So when it was eventually treated it was quite large.
Had 2 procedures.
First Op did not remove it completely
The scar was thick red and sore.
The second removal was done by a lady surgeon who removed it completely.
Her needlework was much better than the first surgeon.

Her advice was
1 Apply Bio oil morning and night.
2 Apply pressure to the scar and stretch it out.
3 Use one finger to apply pressure and run it the length of the scar.

I have looked after my scar exactly as the surgeon suggested since May 2015
It has faded and is no longer red.

Try this link for Information:

www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets/basal-cell-carcinoma/?showmore=1&returnlink=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bad.org.uk%2Ffor-the-public%2Fpatient-information-leaflets#.WzksCtJKj_c

I had one BCC cut out on the side of my nose but it left no scar. I had a bigger BCC some time after on the side of my face by the hairline and had radiotherapy on that. I have a bald patch the size of a 10p piece where the hair won’t grow again. I agree, what has been suggested for you is frightening with the chance of disfigurement. I would trawl through Google for recommended plastic surgeons so you get a good job made of it.

I've had a reply from my friend now. She had three operations and now the cancer seems to be stopped.
She has had quite a bit of her nose removed, and was offered reconstruction, but refused it because as she says, she's not going in for any beauty competitions. and everyone has got used to her new appearance.
Also 3 ops in 6 months is enough.
I'm not sure if she had BCC or another type.
Bon Courage, Travelinsin

Travels, I had the MOHS surgery for BCC but it was in front of my ear rather than on my nose. I had BUPA at work but my neighbour had the same surgeon for MOHS under the NHS - she just had to wait 3 more weeks than me. It was in our local private hospital but the surgeon did point out that we were lucky as only a few hospitals did it. The difference is that it's microsurgery - they take out a minimal amount of flesh then send you back to the waiting room while they 'test the margins'. Everyone sits there with big dressings on (mainly on their noses) and then get called back in to be stitched up or have another bit scraped out. I was unlucky and had to be sent back in twice as it turned out mine was deep (tiny patch of itchy skin in front of my ear - my GP knew it was BCC immediately as he could see a blood supply into it). There was a lot of bleeding and I had to wear a dressing for over a week. The consultant was very much one of those 'be grateful, you just had a face lift on one side of your face, haha' types. Now 3 years later no scar and that side of my face has gone back to being as baggy as the other ? (no-one except me would have noticed the difference after the op tbh).

I had a BCC on the side of my nose, close to the eye. This was cut out about 12 years ago, and the took a piece of skin from near my ear to cover the area. This was sewn in place. It was all carried out as a day op. and I was back home the same evening. Gave myself a little scare when I bent down to get the cats bowls and blood started to drip. Then did as I had been told, as rested for a couple of days and all was well. Stitches were removed a couple of weeks later and although that patch is slightly lighter than the rest of my facial skin, it has never been a problem.
Two further BCC's removed from my face in subsequent years, but without need of any graft. The last one, was the worst (for me). I had gone back to my GP, not with any spot but because there was a light coloured patch on my forehead. The trainee GP I saw dismissed this as nothing to be concerned about, and only when I pushed, did he ring his mentor who agreed with me that as I was prone to BCC's I should be referred to a dermatologist. That dermatologist, also felt it was nothing to be concerned about but took a biopsy.
When I received an appointment to attend the hospital clinic for the results (about three months from when I had originally gone to the GP, I went there absolutely convinced there was nothing wrong, no changes had occurred during that time. As my appointment was for 11.00 am, I arranged to go direct from the hospital to do my weekly shop. Much to my surprise they said the biopsy had come back positive and they wished to removed it - immediately. However, they were quite surprised as how large this had grown down, still virtually nothing on the surface. An hour later, I left there with eight stitches in my forehead and feeling distinctly shocked. I did ask then, what would happen if I chose to ignore any future ones and was told, that as they are like ulcers, it could/would lead to me ending up with a nasty hole in my face.

Travelinsil..........knowing you had an appointment on the 19th at Guy`s Cancer Unit regarding your own troubling BCC I am most interested in knowing the verdict and of course your decision,hoping that indeed you have some good results to share.
Wishing you well.

I'm revisiting this thread because I had MOHS surgery for a BCC on my nose and I am still in bandages. The stitches will come out next week and then the big reveal.
Like others my spot was small - just a scab that refused to heal but apparently it was quite deep and had spread. I had to have a skin graft.
I wondered why bother when sonething else is quite likely to get me first. The doctor gave me dire warnings about the rodent ulcer eating away at the bone and behind the eye to reassure me I had done the right thing by having it seen to.

I wonder how you got on travel ?

I must have been very lucky, mine was where the nostril met the cheek and I just had a hole cut out!
I didn’t feel that I had an option, it would just have got worse and I was only 40.
The way it healed was amazing, you could almost see the skin growing. I didn’t need a graft so I was fortunate.
I did have the local injections but didn’t find them as horrific as an earlier poster. The Consultant cauterised the wound, the small of your own flesh burning isn’t pleasant but better than the alternative. Now you can hardly see the scar.
Best news is that I haven’t had another one and now I’m 65.

That's good news pamela I had already had one removed from my neck which was when the surgeon noticed this little spot.
I am quite scared now of what my face will look like. I'm not vain but don't wish to frighten the GC

It does make one a little paranoid doesn’t it?
Every blemish has to be watched just in case.
I’m not too vain either but I did discover the night before the op that I really did quite like my nose?. Luckily it’s not much different.
They’ll love you anyway Gramaretto.?