The big scare came a few weeks ago
Ok, I'm a man and in life had some minor skin issues. Plaster moles and so on. These I had removed years ago. About and around March I noted a red scaly spot on my left side, lower nose. When at annual physical, I asked GP if it could be skin cancer. She almost dismissed it by making a referral to a dermatology clinic. The doc there took a shave biopsy, and it was returned as nodular basal cell carcinoma. I was horrified and then learned risk to life, low risk to person, cosmetically high. The lesion was maybe size of a dime looked raw. This is where things get strange. When I'm told about the pathology I am slammed into a plastic surgeon who wants to do flap restructuring and mohl's. Also in a hospital not a clinic where I would need rides and support plus at my age nearly 80 find full anesthesia very risky. I also too that approach. Later thought no this is over kill and could kill me. Called GP explained the need for a second opinion and she called clinic got me a consultation on my options, which as you all know are many and varied. Some non invasive and 2 x freeze dry was my first thought. Yes, it will leave a scar, that will in time heal and yes, the BCC could come back and if so I'll be alert to it. So it's taken me more than a month of run overs and around. I still have no plan for therapy or removal. I do now, after research, know what questions to ask. I'm glad I didn't just move to the flap surgery with a long recovery. So my journey is still NOT over by any means. I'll keep you all updated.
Hi
. It sounds like you made some wise decisions. I'm glad you advocated for yourself, asked questions and got a second opinion. Please do keep us updated. We'll be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member) I had good news, at least short term. My primary called the original referral and made an appointment. I went and outlined to the MD my research. That is that the protocol, since this is a non-recurring MBCC, should be Imiqimod trials and then if after some time no success, go for surgery that will have a recovery time and perhaps, and especially a scar on the nose. I searched for any clinical trials of IM vs Mohs and found one in the British LANCET. ( wished I live in Europe) It seemed to say chemo can be successful, but surgery is almost guaranteed success, but we have to say, MOHS might and probably would. need plastic surgery later. So I am now using IMM cream, and we will see the outcome.
That's great! I hope the cream is effective and that you can avoid surgery. I look forward to your next update. - Lori (Team Member)
