Anyone else had a possible basal cell carsinoma close to their eye?

[EL8888]

My GP seems to think l might have basal cell carsinoma, it’s on my lower eye lid and less than 1 cm from my eye. Waiting for dermatology to contact me, GP did an urgent referral 10 days ago but lm not sure if / when my appointment will be.

I think they are fairly common as we don’t put suncream close to our eyes

I had one on my forehead which was removed under local. 20 years later and no issues as far as I am aware!

That not an uncommon place to get them (I’m an optometrist). It may not be a BCC - but needs looking at.
They are exceptionally careful when cutting them out of that area, as eyelids form an important protective function to the eye. You’ll be seen by a multidisciplinary team. Scarring is likely to be minimal too.

@underneaththeash thanks for those words of reassurance. Whatever it is, the location is making me concerned as it’s on my lower eyelid

My husband had one at the top of his nose where it meets the eye crease IYSWIM , he had it removed and it’s been fine although it was a bit awkward at first with the dressing .

Not my eye, but I had one on my nose a few months ago. Less worrying in terms of eye, but also an area with not much tissue so removal can be tricky. I used a special cream to manage mine and we think it’s been successful but I have to wait a few more months to be seen for follow up. Maybe chase the referral? I also had a possible bcc taken from my leg last week but that was under a week to derm appointment and just a few more days for removal. They seem to take them very seriously when on the face, try not to worry too much, in very delicate areas there is also the option of Mohs surgery which they do slice by slice using a microscope to check that it’s all there. And of course, until the dermatologist sees it you can’t be sure it is - my GP was very adamant, but the dermatologist was quite chilled

@Flamingolingo how long was your wait so see someone at dermatology for your nose? I have chased it and they are faffing around debating if it’s urgent or not . Not really inspiring confidence as it was done as an urgent referral 1.5 weeks ago

I have had a few on my face, but in less sensitive areas.

However, I was told by my surgeon that if one was in a difficult area (lip, eyelid, edge of nose) they would do a Mohs where they take a bit off, test it in a lab next door, come back and take a bit more if necessary, etc.

Unlike the usual practice of taking it all with a healthy margin around the outside and then sending the excised bit off for testing to make sure it had all been got. Takes longer on the day, but means they cut out a lot less.

@RubaiyatOfAnyone thanks for the info, l have heard about that procedure elsewhere. It makes sense in such delicate and lack of spare flesh areas l suppose

What kind of timings did it all take from GP to appointment to treatment?

My mum had one right near the corner of her inner eye and instead of surgery had some sort of cream to put on it, it was pretty nasty during the treatment but it did the job.

Hmmm, my first was about 9 months between GP and biopsy, then about a month between biopsy and excision, but to be fair I moved house in the middle of that wait and had to go back on a waiting list at the new local hospital. I was annoyed because it had obviously grown during that time and I woudn't have needed so much cut out if they had been quicker. Since my second, they put me on a 'direct' access path because I'm obviously prone to them, where I can contact the oral/maxiofacial surgery unit directly if i suspect one rather than go via GP which speeds things up.

Oh yes, meant to say they tried me with Efudex cream the first time round but it didn't really work for me. I understand it can be quite effective for some people.

@EL8888 I saw the dermatologist within a week for that one. You need to go back to your gp I think.

@Flamingolingo it appears as the GP put it through as 2 week urgent but the hospital want to re-triage it themselves. So not much the GP can do sadly. No answer from the hospital about if / when they are going to see me

I had one removed about 1cm from my eye, right by the the outer corner. I had Mohs surgery. Honestly I was incredibly nervous, but the surgical team were so reassuring. It was several years ago now, so I can't advise about timings, but just wanted to wish you luck. I hope you are seen soon!

I've been to see a consultant this morning as I have one on my cheek close to my nose. They are going to do an moh op as it's less invasive but they can check as they go that everything has been removed. It's less scarring and done under local anesthetic. Try not to worry

@Yulbrynnerstoupee good luck with it all. How long did you need to wait to see the consultant?

@ThomasHardyPerennial thanks. I’ve had it for a while and l was just wanting to at least know when my appointment will be

I had mine for quite a long time too, I was actually referred for another suspicious lesion on my face and they noticed the bcc during the consultation. It must be very frustrating waiting for an appointment, and I sympathise. Really hope the hospital get back to you soon.

@EL8888 hi I am fortunate that I've got private health through work. But I did have a delay between initial consultation and the biopsy of 3 months due to covid.
I'm having the op next week so super quick now thank goodness.

UPDATE: eventually l got an appointment for an afternoon last week, l arranged some time off work etc. The morning of the appointment l got a phone call, during which l was told it was now over the phone and in the morning. I made clear l was unhappy about this (l had planned my day around the afternoon and face to face) and was met with indifference. They then said they would arrange a face to face appointment “very soon”. Still no appointment and my GP said 5 and a half weeks ago that it’s an urgent appointment.

I’m fuming. I have contacted the commissioners who said if l want to go with a different provider, then l need to go back to my GP and start the process from the very start. Is this true or are they just being awkward and obstructive to stall me?