Mother with Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma

By hawkfan01

1 min read

Hello - I write here for my mother. She has had many burns and Mohs surgery for squamous cell growths. She has had reconstructive surgery on her left, lower eye lid twice for recurrent squamous cell cancer. She has had numerous growths removed all over her body and the latest on her chest was considered a "invasive squamous cell carcinoma". We are going to the dermatologist again for another large growth on her shoulder. The ones on her legs don’t heal well because she has swollen legs due to heart failure. It seems every 3 months we are having another growth removed. What does this all mean? Does she have cancer? Is there a medication she can take to calm these growths down?

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NinaHU Community Admin
Dear <inline-mention user-id="2087522" username="hawkfan01"/> , I am so sorry your mother is going through this ordeal with invasive squamous cell. It sounds quite aggressive and overwhelming for you both, especially you as her caregiver. Squamous cell carcinoma is indeed cancer, and I'm glad you're reaching out to understand more! Hoping your docs take it seriously as well. I'm not sure how the heart issues would affect these treatments, but I'm sharing some info here: On traditional options: <a href='https://skincancer.net/treatment/by-skin-cancer-type' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/treatment/by-skin-cancer-type/</a> On a new medication approved for SCC: <a href='https://skincancer.net/news/fda-approves-immunotherapy-drug-libtayo-advanced-cutaneous-squamous-cell-carcinoma' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/news/fda-approves-immunotherapy-drug-libtayo-advanced-cutaneous-squamous-cell-carcinoma/</a> I hope this is helpful! Please check in with your derm, and if they don't provide sufficient answers, don't hesitate to get a second opinion. And do let us know how things go too! - Nina, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
hawkfan01 Member
TY for your reply! I’ve been caring for my mother for almost 7 yrs now and I can’t even count the number of times we’ve had to see the dermatologist for growth removal. The dermatologists never tell us what is going on. I guess I thought that because she is 92 yrs old that they are just managing her conditions and doing what is necessary to keep up with her needs. Do I need to know any more about what’s going on? Is it necessary that I know the stage or what all these squamous cell growths are doing - if anything? The surgery doctor recently told her that she is not to have any more Mohs surgery - that the treating doctor is to just burn the growths off. But the one she has going on now is big. It’s on her shoulder and seems to be growing by the day. We see the doctor on Oct 31st for that one, but she has growths all over her face that need attention. It just seems like we live at the office now. Lol. I don’t know what we can do. Perhaps they don’t want to tell a 92 yr old woman anything bad? We make 3 months appointments, but we usually have to schedule before that. She was a sun worhipper her whole life and never wore sun screen. Played golf in Florida all the time. It’s really showing now I guess.
hawkfan01 Member
Hi Nina - Thank you for the links. Very informative! Amazing things happening for cancer these days.
sheilah Member
Hello, i have the very same problem with squamous cell growths,my legs are covered with them! I go every 6weeks for treatments, always have new ones in that short period of time. Like your mom,I also have had Mohs surgery on top of r-foot, radiation treatments on bottom of r-foot and right leg and left ankle,numerous sprays,to many to count and many creams that make me feel sick.The biopsies are awful and the freezing needles ...well we won't talk about those! I have started taking a new vitamin called B-3 with MinNiacin not Niacin, it seems to help stop the new growths on my legs, I see a lot less. Other then this,nothing seems to work to control new squamous cell spots for me.Lets hope something new comes along soon.
1. hawkfan01 Member
 I do hope something comes along that’s new for this. I was reading that there may be immunotherapy infusions that may help. They use immune therapy for so many maladies these days. Aside from the chemo I will take for my non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma, I also take an immune therapy for auto-immune hemolytic anemia which I also have. (The drug is called Rituxan). My immune system attacks my red blood cells causing anemia. This will be the second time I will take these infusions and I did feel better after my last round. There are many biologics that tend to other body issues also. Perhaps someone could elaborate on what is around the corner for squamous cell carcinoma. Too late for my mother to participate, but for others who deal with this form of cancer.
2. Ronni Gordon Member
 Really sorry about all that you and your mother are going through. I also have had numerous squamous cells and more Mohs surgeries than I can count. My dermatologist said to take niacinamide, not to be confused with niacin. It is a little confusing because it is also known as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid amide.
hawkfan01 Member
Update on Mother: Much has happened since I wrote in October. She will be 93 next month. She is on hospice for congestive heart failure - end stage. She is holding her own for now but she has this huge squamous cell tumor just below her right temple. It is over an inch in diameter now and raised a half inch. It is growing by the week. Because she is not on hospice for skin cancer, hospice won’t tend to it. But my mother wants this removed as she is afraid it is growing into her jaw or her eye. I made an appointment with her dermatologist and we see the surgeon on August 8. She was supposed to have this removed by Mohs on June 6th, but she wasn’t feeling well enough to go through the surgery so we cancelled. Now she’s sorry she didn’t go. I am too, because she’s that much more debilitated a month later. It will be up to me to get her out of the house and into the doctors office. I don’t know how she will ever stand the surgery on Aug 8th and spend probably a better part of the day. Back and forth to the surgery room and up on the table and then down and back to wait for the biopsies. I don’t know if this will help her or hurt her. She has other tumors growing on her arms too. Not as bad yet as the one on her face, but growing. I have wondered if she should be on hospice for this too. Perhaps there is more comfort care for her? But she was never tested for stage or anything. Does anyone have any ideas?
1. hawkfan01 Member
 TY for some ideas! I am planning on going in to the derm office this Monday and informing them of the issues we will all be facing on Aug 8th (if not sooner with a cancellation). She has a squamous Cell growing more and more in her arm too and she wants to have this removed on the same day. I know most surgeons don’t like to do this, so I’m not sure what will happen. Both these growths bother her at night and constantly wake her up, so she is very anxiety ridden about having them removed - even if she has to cry (Which she said today). . I will try to prepare them too as to what to expect - but I’m not even sure what to expect by Aug 8th. She is very frail now. I wish I didn’t have to take her out of the house at all. When on hospice, one is supposed to have only 6 months to live or less. Mom is on hospice for 2 months now. I don’t see anything happening in 4 months with her - other than she may be more tired. So this is why I will get her to the surgeon on Aug 8th. This will not be the last of these growths I know. These will be removed perhaps, and 2 more will pop up. This means she will want to get to the doctor again before they grow too big and we are back where we started. Back to doctor visits again and surgeries. Hospice has been a Godsend for me because I have to start chemo this Tuesday and Wednesday for non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I treated for it 2 yrs ago and it’s back again. So we’re going to hit it a bit more aggressive this time. At least I know Mom is in good hands while I try to get my body better. But with all this worry again with surgeries, the 2 month reprieve we’ve managed to get without doctors and ER visits are almost forgotten. I have chemo for 6 months, but only for 2 days a month. I just don’t know how I’m going to feel. I will see what else is available to get help should I need it. TY.
2. hawkfan01 Member
 Just happen to be thinking about all this. I am going to talk to the dermatologist on Monday and ask if they can refer my mother to hospice for her skin cancer too. If they can do this, then perhaps hospice can administer the anti anxiety medication for my mother, which also includes a low dose of Morphine to help with her pain and discomfort. I’m not sure if my mother will go along with this, but it’s a thought. These meds come in a comfort pack when one is accepted in hospice. If she can do hospice with this skin cancer too, maybe there are other comfort drugs hospice can use that I’m not even aware of. She will be more of a fall risk with these meds however. But even if she has the surgery, she will not be well afterwards and will need more supervision for a while.
hawkfan01 Member
Good evening everyone - I spoke to my mother’s dermatologist today and she is going to see my mother this coming Monday - July 8th. This is so the doctor can prepare the surgeon of her 2 squamous skin cancers. The doctor will take a biopsy of the growth on her right arm and the aim is to have both growths removed in one day - on August 8th. Not sure this will happen, but I can’t take her back and forth to doctors anymore. It is too difficult. I’m not sure what will happen for future growths. At some point this has to stop. It’s impossible to keep up with them. She won’t take anxiety meds, so this is going to be a problem. I started my chemo today and won’t be able to keep up, nor take care of her wounds. I will have to hire someone to help out in this regard if she needs follow-up care.
1. Eileen Moderator
 Yes, <inline-mention user-id="2087522" username="hawkfan01"/> , I agree — sure sounds like the right time to hire someone to help you through. I just hope the hiring process goes well and quickly! Perhaps the hospice workers can give you a referral? That's usually the fastest and most trustworthy way to find the right person. I'll be thinking of you and your mom on Monday, I hope it goes smoothly. Sending you protective hugs. -Eileen, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
2. hawkfan01 Member
 Tomorrow is the day for the appointment for biopsy and opinion on the now half-dollar sized growth on her face. it is a beast and I’m thinking she will need to go into the hospital for removal and follow-up care. But of course she has already told me she won’t go to the hospital and expects it to be “simply” removed in the surgical office at her doctor. She said she would cry and plead if they suggest hospital. So we are not talking about it for now......
hawkfan01 Member
Good evening all - I took my mother to her dermatologist appt this morning and her doctor did the nitrous oxide on 12 different sites on my mother’s body. At least these won’t grow in the massive growth like the one on the right side of her face. She has a squamous cell growth on her right arm too. About 1/2 I’m in diameter. After speaking to the doctor, she will recommend that the surgeon do both tumors in one day - but ultimately it is up to the surgeon. My mother begged the doctor and we spoke to the Moh’s surgery person who would help set this up. It will be a long day. I started my chemo on the 2 and 3rd of July and will have to repeat on July 29 and 30. So Aug 8, day of surgery, will be a week after my chemo infusion. I am not sure if I will be up to the task of spending the day there with my mother. So I am trying to find someone else to take her for the day to help her navigate. She is so fragile, I honestly don’t know how this is going to go. Her heart is not strong at all anymore. This is going to be a tough one.
1. NinaHU Community Admin
 <inline-mention user-id="2087522" username="hawkfan01"/> , I'm glad you had a chance to talk this through with <inline-mention user-id="2100306" username="Eileen"/> . One step is over, but unfortunately the big one is yet to come. It sounds like it would be best to have someone else there, knowing you won't be in good shape to take on both the physical and the mental toll of the day. Perhaps you can be on call if anything urgent comes up, but have someone else be her consistent support? I hope she makes it through okay and that she is able to relax until the surgery approaches. I'm sharing an article we just published about the toll on caregivers: <a href='https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/caregiver-burnout' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/caregiver-burnout/</a>. Much of it is easier said than done, but perhaps will be helpful to hear put into words. Thinking of you both, Nina, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
hawkfan01 Member
Good evening again. Mom has another squamous Cell popping out on her left cheek. I am beside myself. I cannot keep up with this anymore. There is no way she can have this removed on August 8 too. The doctor didn’t even biopsy it yet. It is growing fast. I mean - we were just there and she had numerous keratosis burned off. She is very anxious. I am very anxious. I thought I had relief while she was on hospice for her heart, but this is beyond even her heart issues. I wish I could post some pictures so you can see what I’m talking about She is out-living her skin.
1. hawkfan01 Member
 I look forward to reading the article! TY!
2. hawkfan01 Member
 OMG - Just read this. May be worth asking about so we can stop the endless visits to the dermatologist. She may settle down too. Amazing things happening in medicine!
hawkfan01 Member
Good Evening Everyone - I see someone asked if I have an up-date on my mother and her facial surgery that was done in Aug 8 (yesterday). First of all I think that is so good of everyone and I thank you for thinking of us! She went in for surgery yesterday hoping to have 2 surgeries done in one day. This surgeon had not seen the tumor on her face until yesterday. He said he would not do both surgeries in one day, but he did agree to do the full arm Mohs surgery and he would only ‘debunked’ the one on her face for now. (Not sure if this is the correct term). She has to return on August 22 for the Moh’s surgery on her face. For now he shaved off the part of the facial tumor that was above the surface, as she couldn’t sleep on that side, so he agreed to try to make her more comfortable. But, I am wondering just how far he will go on Aug 22 as there are so many nerves and everything in that spot that would require much avoidance. And being that she is on hospice to begin with, I think he feels what’s the sense of doing a full required Mohs surgery for fear of hitting a nerve etc and causing damage to her face and making things more difficult for her. I don’t really know the thinking on his part. I did not take her, as I had just had 2 chemo treatments. But I hired a private person to accompany her and my mother really liked her. So things went well and for the most part, some anxiety has been relieved. But it’s still not over. A little disappointing, but I do think the doctor felt it would be a bit involved and he didn’t want to put her through so much in one day. I will update on Aug 22.
1. Eileen Moderator
 I'm so glad to hear you hired somebody to take your mom to surgery, and even happier it went well! I hope it's a professional relationship you can continue. Having quality help to call on is a welcome stress reliever, I hope. I also hope you're doing as well as possible on chemo. I’m rooting for you. -Eileen, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
pcmpcm Member
What happened- how are you both?