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General health

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Original poster

Basal cell carcinoma

11 replies

User5Million · 04/10/2017 20:29

My grandad has just been diagnosed with this form of skin cancer and I'm very worried.
from all I've read online, it's not much to worry about but is there any chance they could misdiagnose something serious? He's old and I'm worried. :(

OP posts:

Bobbiepin · 04/10/2017 20:35

My mum has had this three times. Each time was a local anaesthetic surgery in a day clinic and no problems.

CMOTDibbler · 04/10/2017 20:36

BCC really is very straightforward to distinguish from more serious things, and incredibly common in the elderly. Treatment is straightforward too

Titsywoo · 04/10/2017 20:38

My brother has this. It's incredibly rare for it to spread so they just have to remove it (which of course can sometimes be a problem depending on it's size and location).

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 04/10/2017 20:44

If you have to choose any cancer, basal cell is your best option.
Rarely metastasises, as mentioned above it tends to cause most problems if it occurs in an inconvenient place. They often occur in exposed skin areas so often on face.
They will not diagnose only on visual appearance, but should rely on microscopic histology

bananaskin123 · 04/10/2017 20:58

I've had three removed at various times. Try not to worry. As others have said they are quite common and usually due to sun damage. Just getting over having had one removed from my foot. Needed a skin graft but its all fine now.

Original poster

User5Million · 04/10/2017 21:19

Thank you everyone for all your replies.

Breakfast, it is on his ear - he thinks it's hilarious that he might have to have half his ear 'chopped off', as he's deaf in the other, so keeps making jokes about not having to pretend to ignore my grandma anymore...

OP posts:

ClinkyMonkey · 04/10/2017 21:52

My mum had the more serious, but still very treatable, squamous cell carcinoma removed. She was 82 at the time. A biopsy is normally taken to determine whether it is a malignant growth and, if so, what type of cancer it is. So I would say it is unlikely that your grandfather was misdiagnosed.

Mum has to attend the Dermatology Dept every 6 months, but everything has been fine and they will be bringing her back annually after a while.

Try not to worry. Your grandfather is very lucky to have you caring about him so much.

Tanfastic · 04/10/2017 22:11

My sister has had two of these removed recently and also my colleague. Very common and really nothing to worry about.

augustusglupe · 05/10/2017 03:04

No there’s nothing to worry about. They cut them out and you get on with your life. I had one removed from my cheek years ago. Your Grandad will be fine.

PandorasXbox · 05/10/2017 11:27

FIL also has this on his ear some years ago. He was operated on to remove it and you really wouldn’t notice unless you look closely. Try not to worry.

ShovingLeopard · 05/10/2017 11:34

I had one removed last year. The only problem is that I was left with an unsightly scar. My grandmother had several of them that were all removed or treated at various times. She lived to 91, and died of totally unrelated causes. Your grandad will be fine.

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