Waiting Too Long for Squamous Cell on Chest?

By patsy

1 min read

I was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer after 1st biopsy in August 2019. Then I had second biopsy at the end of August because it came back. I have been waiting until Nov, 26 to have surgery. It has grown thicker and hurts when you touch it and hurts during movement. The dermatologist is doing the surgery not Mohs. I am worried because he wanted to wait until Dec to have surgery but I insisted for November. Do you think it has spread? He didn’t seem concerned.

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NinaHU Community Admin
Dear <inline-mention user-id="2106724" username="patsy"/> , the waiting is so difficult and these sensations do sound frightening. I can't advise as to the status of the spot or possibility of spread, but I did find a story with some similarities here: <a href='https://skincancer.net/stories/cancer-surprise' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/stories/cancer-surprise/</a>. You could try commenting to that person with some of your questions. If you are able, in the future you could always consider a second opinion from a different derm. It sounds like you might not feel that your concerns are addressed by this one? I'm glad you insisted and were able to get a November appointment. I hope you'll let us know how things go. We're thinking of you! - Nina, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
notanotherone Member
Good for you for insisting! The sooner these things are treated the better the outcome. Be ever vigilant and good luck with your surgery and clear margins.
NinaHU Community Admin
<inline-mention user-id="2106724" username="patsy"/> , seconding <inline-mention user-id="2091483" username="notanotherone"/> , and also sending along a Q&A we recently did inspired by your story: <a href='https://skincancer.net/q-and-a/fear-spread' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/q-and-a/fear-spread/</a>. Some of our Facebook community responded and provided some suggestions. It sounds like you'll be seeing the derm in just 4 days now. I hope those days fly by and you'll let us know how you're doing after. - Nina, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
wseverin Member
I cannot tell you if it has spread. I'm not a doctor. But having pain makes me quite suspicious it may have. My first encounter with this beast, sebaceous carcinoma or malignant melanoma started last year in December, two weeks before Christmas. I had a mole that started hitting and bleeding slightly and went to the f.p. He took it off and had it tested. Next afternoon I found I had this cancer. He recommended a dermatologist, but it would be 45 days to see him. So, I got on the internet and found one with very good credentials that could see me within 10 days. Yes, it was malignant. The mole the f.p. took off was 6mm high and 9mm diameter. I don't know how much the dermatologist took out, but that took some 30 stitches inside and out. I may have waited too long to have that done, because it could spread very quickly. I'm going back to him Friday as a few more have shown up. Yes, I am a man (idiot in this case) should have done it sooner.
1. Eileen Moderator
 How did your follow-up appointment go, <inline-mention user-id="2106507" username="wseverin"/> ? I hope well. I understand your regrets about not getting that mole taken care of sooner, but the most important thing? It's taken care of! Onward. -Eileen, <a href='https://skincancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
wseverin Member
Not too bad, I don't think. He said he needed to remove about 5-8 carcinomas that don't appear to be dangerous. Anyway, they're small now. After seeing what I found out a year ago, I ain't taking any chances anymore, period!