GP said I have what looks like Basal Cell Carcinoma

[Lentilfloup]

How worried should I be?

BCCs are generally localised and very slow growing. Apparently they usually grow at a maximum of 0.2cm per year. They are not classed as “urgent” compared to other forms of skin cancer. So although it’s scary to be told it’s cancer, it’s not likely to need the same urgency as melanomas.
I had a “very large” one removed last year. It was about 2.5cm by 2.5cm. Mine was on my face so I had it done by the max fax team. I have a scar but that’s fading. There was a massive cock up in me being seen (was a year from my first initial appointment being booked to me actually getting seen!) and mine still hadn’t grown much. They reckoned it was there for years before I noticed it.
I am relatively young to have this (in my 40s) so I’m being monitored by the dermatologists and being checked go make sure I don’t have any reoccurrences, so far, so good.
Hope that reassures you a bit.

@YogaLite

Personally if offered a biopsy, I would ask to have it out in one go rather than going through it twice.

In fact I did just that on a suspect spot which obviously got tested anyway and was found to be non-cancerous.

They usually do try to take it fully out with margin then biopsy to check. Dm has had to go back where it was not fully removed first time.

@Lentilfloup

Thank you. I’m just hoping it hasn’t spread anywhere else. I don’t want to Google because I know it could freak me out. I have health anxiety at the best of times!

BCC doesn’t spread (metastasise). It’s a local non-malignant cancer. They will cut it out, stitch you up, send it to the labs for confirmation. You won’t necessarily get a follow up appointment. Nothing to worry about.

I had a BCC removed last summer that I'd had for over 10 years. 2 GPs had misdiagnosed it in that time when I'd had concerns. A different GP referred me to dermatology under the 2 week rule which terrified me and ended up being 6 weeks because of covid. The dermatologist took one look at it, said she was as convinced as she could be that it was a BCC and it was removed that day. She explained they're not dangerous but policy is to remove them and test them. It was a bit nippy when they took it out but healed within few weeks. I was so scared waiting but it really isn't anything to worry about and it's much better now it isn't itching and bleeding. Hope you get some reassurance at the clinic x

Hi. I had one removed on my hairline on forehead. I went private as the wait was long to have it removed. I had Mohs surgery to remove it. The surgeon was fantastic. I was told it was nothing to worry about and it grows slowly.

BCC only just meets the criteria to be called cancerous.

If left they are almost never dangerous

Really good it's been spotted but honestly nothing to worry about

(I'm a pathology scientist and see them all the time)

My dads had a bunch of them removed. Honestly it’s really ok. Try not to panic

My sister had a BCC removed and the dermatologist said BCCs don't spread so aren't very worrying. They grow really slowly.

In a lot of places BCCs don’t fall under the two week rule for cancer- in fact I’ve seen it argued that they don’t really meet the criteria to be classed as a cancer. Everyone agrees it’s something you’re better off without and you’re getting it sorted quicker than a lot of places are managing at the moment. It’s probably one thing I would advise to Google- you’ll find it reassuring!
knowyourskin.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/condition/basal-cell-carcinoma/

Thank you. It does seem less scary. I had breast cancer a few years ago. It’s all making me doubt my body and it’s ability to keep me well

Can I ask how you are now please? Hubby has a suspected bcc and I'm really worried

I have had one removed by a dermatologist at the local hospital. He made a right mess of it! Several years ago I had a mole removed (where my bra strap goes) by the local GP clinic and they did a much better job.
both times the growths were sent to pathology for diagnosis.

Hi, I went to my gp in September with a large dark freckle on my chest. He dismissed that but was rather interested in my dry patch of skin on the side of my forehead and also a ‘spot’ that kept bleeding on my temple. I said I’d had it a while but it wouldn’t heal. He said not to worry but to be on the safe side he’d refer me to dermatology on a 3week cancer referral. He stressed that he didn’t think it was cancer but just wanted to dot the Is and cross the Ts.
2 days later I had a letter and phone all to say I had an appt and I was seen exactly 5 days later.
The consultant jumped on the dry patch and said it was actinic keratosis and said I’d need chemo cream. The lesion on my temple, which was about 8mm long and 5mm wide, would need a biopsy to confirm bcc. She said she was 99% sure it was basal but 1% chance it could be squamous.
5 weeks later I had a punch biopsy and 2 weeks after that I started the imiquidod cream 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The surgeon who did the biopsy said I’d need a skin graft when they eventually remove it.
Last Wednesday I received my biopsy results confirming bcc and an appointment was given for Feb 5th to discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan. Last Thursday was the last day of treatment when I noticed the glands on the side of my jawline, neck and around my ear had swollen massively, they really hurt. I got an appointment at the doctor the next day and he said he referred me to me back to dermatology- still waiting. Anyone else had similar with lymph nodes swelling?

@Lynetteceltic13 This is an old thread - you'd probably be better starting a new thread (if you haven't already), as otherwise your message will get lost.

Hi, I went to my gp in September with a large dark freckle on my chest. He dismissed that but was rather interested in my dry patch of skin on the side of my forehead and also a ‘spot’ that kept bleeding on my temple. I said I’d had it a while but it wouldn’t heal. He said not to worry but to be on the safe side he’d refer me to dermatology on a 3week cancer referral. He stressed that he didn’t think it was cancer but just wanted to dot the Is and cross the Ts.
2 days later I had a letter and phone all to say I had an appt and I was seen exactly 5 days later.
The consultant jumped on the dry patch and said it was actinic keratosis and said I’d need chemo cream. The lesion on my temple, which was about 8mm long and 5mm wide, would need a biopsy to confirm bcc. She said she was 99% sure it was basal but 1% chance it could be squamous.
5 weeks later I had a punch biopsy and 2 weeks after that I started the imiquidod cream 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The surgeon who did the biopsy said I’d need a skin graft when they eventually remove it.
Last Wednesday I received my biopsy results confirming bcc and an appointment was given for Feb 5th to discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan. Last Thursday was the last day of treatment when I noticed the glands on the side of my jawline, neck and around my ear had swollen massively, they really hurt. I got an appointment at the doctor the next day and he said he referred me to me back to dermatology- still waiting. Anyone else had similar with lymph nodes swelling?

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I live in Australia and I barely know anyone who hasn’t had a couple of BCCs creamed off or cut out. They’re so common here as to barely be noteworthy.