Anyone had a basal cell carcinoma? (Skin cancer)

[PressPause]

Hi, at age 40 I have just had biopsy results back of a little growth/ulcer on my face and it is a Basal Cell Carcinoma. From what I have read its the most common type of skin cancer. It's driving me crazy as it bleeds every day after every shower and hard to get it to stop. When it does it can't be covered with make up.

Has anyone had this and had the surgery to remove it? How long did you wait for the surgery? What was the end result like? Did it re-appear or did you get more elsewhere etc?

Thanks.

[digerd]

BIL had one removed and never had another. That was decades ago.

[Elibean]

My friend had one (in her early 40s). It was removed, and she's not had one since (10 years ago). HTH

[Candlefire]

It needs to be removed. Very simple with local anaesthetic stiches out two weeks later. I had it done privately so it was all quite speedy. It's been a wake up call to be much more vigilent with sun pritection. Don't leave itit won't go away.

[PressPause]

Thanks. I'm certainly not leaving it. To be honest I am feeling frustrated that the process is taking so long. Ages to see GP (after Locum GP wouldn't refer me). Then waited 2 weeks to see consultant at hospital then waited again to get appointment for biopsy then just waited another 2 weeks for results. Now told I need to wait up to 4 weeks for a letter which will tell me when my hospital appointment will be (usually 4-6 weeks after the letter) then that's just to see consultant/surgeon to discuss so assume I have a further wait for the actual surgery!

I am happy to have the surgery just wish it wasn't such a drawn out process. It's the bleeding (that takes ages to stop and only stops by me applying pressure for a good while) each morning that's driving me crazy at the moment!

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

I had Moh's micrographic surgery on one on my nose. It's fine. Keep your eyes shut and I took music and earphones as I didn't want to hear cutty noises if there were any.

The scar is fab after the scab drops off and that didn't take long.

[orangeplum]

I have had one cut out and sadly another has appeared 3 years later which I am having removed next week. From what I have read once you have had one you may get others. I check my skin regularly and get a referral to a dermatologist if concerned.

As other posters say not too painful and should heal nicely.

Good luck.

[PressPause]

Mohs is what they said I will probably have. Thank you all for sharing. Silly to worry - I know there are worse things but helps to know. This is payback for frying in the sun as a teenager. Thank goodness I knew better by the time I had children!

[peedoffbird]

I had one on the side of my nose about 13 years ago. It was taken off under local anaesthetic and was painless. Couple of stitches and scar is invisible now. Had nothing since.

[Catthecatlady]

Does this sound like skin cancer? Worried 😟

I have a small approx 1cm spot at the tip of my nose, if I’m being honest I’ve probably had it around 2 years but it’s becoming more obvious. It’s flat and pinkish and if looking really closely can maybe see some blood vessels inside. It doesn’t weep or scab though it’s just there and can be covered with make up.
I had planned to go to the doctors and looked it up online and saw some pictures of people after
Surgery on their nose and it terrifies me so I put it to the back of my mind.
But I think I really should have it checked. Does anyone have any experience with anything similar? Thanks

[augustusglupe]

I had one on my cheek, near to my nose. I’d had it for years, as it was just a pale pink mark, but it started to make a slight indent in my skin.
My GP diagnosed it straight away, I had surgery about 6 weeks later. It healed really well and it hasn’t come back. That was 11 years ago.
I keep an eye on my skin now though and always wear SPF 30 and 50 on my face.

[curlyfries]

I had a biopsy on a small lump in the corner of my nose, close to my eye about 18 months ago. The results were basal cell carcinoma. The consultant stressed that it was not a dangerous cancer, nodular so wouldn’t spread. He referred me to a plastic surgeon who suggested what sounded like quite drastic surgery, a large area removed and either a skin graft or pulling skin over to close up the wound.
I refused as the surgery sounded so drastic, and I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t a simple procedure with a couple of stitches as other posters have described?
The lump is starting to re- appear worryingly as I don’t know how long I will have to wait to be seen again.

[Catthecatlady]

Thanks for your replies, I am worried about the surgery if it were to be BCC a lot of the pictures online do seem extreme but I guess it just depends on how deep it is and where. It’s good to hear that some people haven’t had such extreme procedures and it heals well.
I contacted my GP this morning and they asked for a pic I’ve sent some in so hopefully will hear back soon.

[LeGrandBleu]

The way it was explained to me was that BCC have a star shape and that what usually appears on the skin is the top of a corner but the second you open skin you can see how deep the arms go. For a 2 mm lesion on side nose, I had a 5 cm long cut. The more you wait, the harder it will be to remove. Even if it doesn't;t metastasised at some point it will become disfiguring,
My advice, a plastic surgeon. You can't see the scar on my nose unless I point it to you, but OMG the shock I had when I removed dressing and say the black stitches.

[LordOftheRingz]

@curlyfries

I had a biopsy on a small lump in the corner of my nose, close to my eye about 18 months ago. The results were basal cell carcinoma. The consultant stressed that it was not a dangerous cancer, nodular so wouldn’t spread. He referred me to a plastic surgeon who suggested what sounded like quite drastic surgery, a large area removed and either a skin graft or pulling skin over to close up the wound.
I refused as the surgery sounded so drastic, and I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t a simple procedure with a couple of stitches as other posters have described?
The lump is starting to re- appear worryingly as I don’t know how long I will have to wait to be seen again.

I would get on it as the longer the wait the bigger the job.