Went to my dermatologist yesterday because I have have a small sore on my nose that has not healed in a few months now. He is pretty sure it is basal cell carcinoma and did a biopsy and sent it out and I should know by Saturday.

https://www.skincancer.org/ski...basal-cell-carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma for those reading that might not know is a skin cancer but it is not life threatening. It is by far the most common type of cancer.

Anyhow I am wondering if anyone else here has had the same, especially on the nose, and what treatment you had, what the results were, and were you happy with the results, and would you do anything different if you could have. Or even if you know of someone that had such done.

My dermatologist is a one man shop and he does not do the surgery but can refer me to a plastic surgeon if I want. Living in suburban Chicago area there are a lot of choices between dermatologists that do the surgery and plastic surgeons though most of them seem to do mosty cosmetic surgery.

Just from research my options look to be:

-- Scrape it off and cauterize.
-- Cut it off with scalpel.
-- Something called Mohs micrographic surgery, which is what I am most interested in due to to being on my nose and that procedure seems to minimize skin removed and has the best chance of removing all the cancer and leaving the smallest scar. I am especially interested if anyone has had this type procedure.

https://www.skincancer.org/ski...rmation/mohs-surgery

Thanks for reading and any sharing any of experiences if possible.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: grumpy1,

Moh’s is a well known and successful treatment for basal cells. Good surgeons won’t leave much of a scar, but they must get all the “roots”; the team will closely check the margins of the cylindrical “apple core” to assure you’re cancer free. Easy for the patient. No worries bro. Glad they caught it.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
Moh’s is a well known and successful treatment for basal cells. Good surgeons won’t leave much of a scar, but the must get all the “roots”; the closely check the margins of the cylindrical “apple core”. It to assure you’re cancer free. Easy for the patient. No worries bro. Glad they caught it.

Much appreciated info, very helpful, and glad to hear! Thanks.

All my older relatives have had it, they are all fine. I've got some lesions, going to the dermatologist in Nov to get checked out. I'm only 50 want to nip it in the bud.

quote:

Originally posted by kz1000:
All my older relatives have had it, they are all fine. I've got some lesions, going to the dermatologist in Nov to get checked out. I'm only 50 want to nip it in the bud.

Thanks, very encouraging. I will be 67 soon. Hope your visit goes well.

I know a few people that have had them removed with various methods. From what I’ve seen it’ll be annoying more than anything.

I just had the MOHS surgery on my nose about 6 months ago for Basal cell.

They will cut a long thin slice off and bandage you up and send you out to the waiting room with a big bandage on your nose. If the margins are clear they will bring you back in and stitch you up. If not then they take another slice. Rinse repeat etc until the margins are clear. They got mine in the first pass.

I have a scar running pretty much the length of my nose. Some people get a plastic surgeon to sew things up. I did not.

I had MOHS surgery just below the inside corner of my L eye. I thought initially I looked a bit sinister, "like a James Bond villain" I told my dermatologist. She offered to go back and work on it, but now that it's completely healed, I don't think anyone notices at all. I guess I would want a dermatologist certified for MOHS to do the procedure, rather than someone who is not and may cut more (or less) than necessary.

Have had a few Basal cells removed. Scraping leaves a small discoloration. Mohs works well, but leaves a scar. Dermatology can lessen or remove the scar by laser after a period of time.

Dean

I've had several skin cancers of various types removed from my face. MOHS surgery is the way you want it handled on your nose. The MOHS can be performed by a specifically qualified surgeon, and then you can go to a plastic surgeon to clean it up. There is not much extra tissue to work with on the nose, which is why the plastic surgeon is frequently needed. The plastic surgeon had to put 25 stitches in my nose. Good luck!

Edited to add: I see you are getting lots of advice, but your issue is specific to your nose, and some advise is coming from people who have not had cancer in that location. The nose is very different when it comes to skin cancer treatment , be careful what you listen to in this thread!

I've had 2 MOHs procedures done on my arms. No scaring on either one. My wife had one done on an eyelid of all places. No scaring as well. It's more of an inconvenience than anything else. Have no fear.

Jim

My wife had Mohs on a basal cell carcinoma on side of nose, about the worse place. She had a hell of a hole when surgery was done but we immediately went to a plastic surgeon for closing that we had set up.

Now, barely a scar to be seen and can't see. Pretty miraculous given the the hole I saw.

I have them. Was diagnosed with a dime size patch on my right jaw bone.

Since then, for smaller areas, liquid nitrogen has been used with one exception; there was a spot (I cannot recall its location) where teh doc scooped it out and sent off for a biopsy. The results came back positive and showed she (the doc) removed the whole cancerous area.

After this, just go once a year or every 18 months. You may get lucky and get a cute 35 year-old doc who knows what they're doing.

I had a basal cell cancer removed from back of my neck over 20 years ago. Scalpel, no problems and no scar unless you really inspect close.

BCC is the only cancer you're almost relieved to have when you hear the C word. Why? Because it almost never metastasizes. 100% cure is the rule.

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 PR64:
I just had the MOHS surgery on my nose about 6 months ago for Basal cell.

They will cut a long thin slice off and bandage you up and send you out to the waiting room with a big bandage on your nose. If the margins are clear they will bring you back in and stitch you up. If not then they take another slice. Rinse repeat etc until the margins are clear. They got mine in the first pass.

I have a scar running pretty much the length of my nose. Some people get a plastic surgeon to sew things up. I did not.

Thanks for sharing your experience, very helpful. Now I have to think about the plastic surgery part too but that is what I wanted to know.

quote:

Originally posted by stiab:
I've had several skin cancers of various types removed from my face. MOHS surgery is the way you want it handled on your nose. The MOHS can be performed by a specifically qualified surgeon, and then you can go to a plastic surgeon to clean it up. There is not much extra tissue to work with on the nose, which is why the plastic surgeon is frequently needed. The plastic surgeon had to put 25 stitches in my nose. Good luck!

Edited to add: I see you are getting lots of advice, but your issue is specific to your nose, and some advise is coming from people who have not had cancer in that location. The nose is very different when it comes to skin cancer treatment , be careful what you listen to in this thread!

Thanks for sharing your experience and most excellent info. I am concerned about my nose for the reasons you state. 25 stitches, oh boy but whatever it takes - so says the wife LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by FlyingScot:
My wife had Mohs on a basal cell carcinoma on side of nose, about the worse place. She had a hell of a hole when surgery was done but we immediately went to a plastic surgeon for closing that we had set up.

Now, barely a scar to be seen and can't see. Pretty miraculous given the the hole I saw.

Thanks for sharing your wife's experience! Glad the plastic surgeon got her all fixed up and it sounds like that is the way I will have to go also.

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!!