quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:
Wow, so many great responses and muck thanks to you all!!

Another question. Can a plastic surgeon do the Mohs procedure and do the best job of making the nose looking good all at the same time or does it need to be two procedures? I will ask my dermatologist the same when I talk to him hopefully Saturday.

Thanks again for all the help.

quote:

Originally posted by stiab:

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:

Another question. Can a plastic surgeon do the Mohs procedure and do the best job of making the nose looking good all at the same time or does it need to be two procedures?

It will have to be two procedures. A MOHS qualified dermatologist will remove the cancer, and then have you wait while they inspect the removed issue under a microscope. If there are not "clean edges" they will have to go back and remove more, and continue that pattern until they are satisfied they have it all. They will have a plastic surgeon on standby at a different medical practice for cases like this. Be sure to discuss all this with your dermatologist in advance.

Some people I know have had skin cancers on their face and nose for years and just decide not to do anything about them. My best friend died off skin cancer in 2010 (melanoma). I have had the two typical types of skin cancer at the exact same location on my face at the same time, so anything can happen. There is no cut and dried answer, other people's experiences may or may not be relevant. Good Luck!!

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:
Wow, so many great responses and muck thanks to you all!!

Another question. Can a plastic surgeon do the Mohs procedure and do the best job of making the nose looking good all at the same time or does it need to be two procedures? I will ask my dermatologist the same when I talk to him hopefully Saturday.

Thanks again for all the help.

You realize no matter much plastic surgery you have - you'll still be butt ugly, right?

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Plastic surgery on the face is also done by ENT surgeons. There’s no huge rush, if I were you I would try to get referral to the facility and surgeon with the greatest specialty experience in this type of cancer and its treatment.
BTW I had mine removed with a minor procedure by an ENT surgeon; got all the margins. But it was on the cheek not on the nose.

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:
It is really going to depend upon the histology of the basal cell tumor. Some can be successfully treated with local removal, some require the Mohs procedure. Wait for the path report.

Good luck,

RMD

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
See my post near the end of this thread for my wife's experiences.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...460075344#8460075344

quote:

Originally posted by bonfire:
Just had the Mohs procedure done on my head. This is the most successful procedure.
They ended up taking about a silver dollar size of skin out. Took about 4 hours. Procedure is quick but when they check for the bad cells it takes time. Took them two times to get rid of all the cells in one sitting. Was numb the entire time and did not feel a thing. Recovery went well. Some pain from them stretching the skin together but other than that there were no complications. Message me if you want to know more or see some pics.

quote:

Originally posted by PR64:
Too add a little more to my experience I forgot to mention the lovely smell you get when they are cauterizing your nose.

your own Burning flesh

I got 13 stitches. 10 inside and 3 on the surface.

My cancer was on the front bridge of my nose.

quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:
I had squamous cell carcinoma on my nose and had Moh's surgery to remove it. It left a hell of a scar and that was with a plastic surgeon doing the repair once the moh's procedure was complete.

quote:

Originally posted by m.tenenhaus:
Mohs surgery (developed by Dr. Mohs) is generally considered a rather precise way of excising skin cancer....it consists of serial sectioning (like cutting a loaf of bread), mapping and immediate histologic review of the tissue. As such it is thought to be more accurate and afford higher cure rates for some tumors as compared to some other forms of excision.

Because it involves serial sectioning and review it can sometimes take a long time (not always, but sometimes)...and the procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia.

As noted in previous responses, some Dermatologic Surgeons might well be very experienced, comfortable and competent at closing defects of a variety of sizes and anatomic locations...other's might not, hence again the benefit of a team approach.

Often Mohs Surgeons work and coordinate with a Plastic Surgeon or Head and Neck Surgeon (ENT) in the event that the defect created is either too complex, large or is located in a critical aesthetic or functional area.

It was always nice for the patient if the excision and the reconstruction could all be done in the same day but it's often tough to coordinate because the reconstructive surgeon never knows how long the Mohs procedure will take and it's almost impossible to keep an OR just sitting there empty and waiting for a a non emergent procedure that might or might not be required. As such it's not unusual to go home with a bandage and return for a scheduled date and time for the reconstruction. That's not necessarily a bad thing as it allows the reconstructive surgeon a chance to review in advance of surgery the defect size and location and together come up with reconstructive options that are favorable for the patient. There are often several options for closure. Each patient has different needs and wants etc.

BCCs are unfortunately very common on the nose and while not to be taken lightly, these specialists are generally very well versed in the care of patients with these lesions.

Glad you're getting your's taken care of.