Skin cancer and a hand hold please

[pinkyponkyplink]

Hubby works outside. He wears spf when it's extremely hot but he had a basal cell removed last year. He has had a dry red spot on his forehead for about 6 months. I thought he had had it checked but he hasn't. It is now just like the end of sharp pencil dot under the skin and he has a very think line moving from the centre of it about 1-2cm long. I've done the worst and dr googled it. He went on Friday to the gp and has been referred. Any experiences with similar would be really welcomed. I appreciate we have no diagnosis. I'm just worried sick

That doesn't sound like a melanoma, which is the one to be really worried about.

If it's a basal cell carcinoma, they're not really problematic unless they are really neglected. Squamous cell carcinomas are more concerning but they still rarely spread and are very slow to do so.

What did the GP say? I've recently had a BCC removed and the GP said that's what it looked like before referring me.

Squamous was what my father had. Started very small, spread out in about 3-4 months.

The gp said it had characteristics of skin cancer and needed a referral. Skin cancer will also cover basal cell. I think we were prepared for basal cell but it looks like what Google show as stage 1. Can't wait for him to get seen by a specialist.

@Wolvesart was it treatable? It's the tiniest dot but it has a line from it like a purple vein

It was treatable and it’s important to go early if you can. My father was 93 at the time and there were patients of all ages, he wasn’t even the oldest.

Squamous cell carcinomas are not a major problem unless they are neglected for a long time. They are very unlikely to spread and if they do, they are slow about it. If it's only been there 6 months, it is highly unlikely to be anything to be too concerned about, although he should obviously have it removed.

You haven't said what the GP said? Surely he/she would have said what it looks like?

@OchonAgusOchonOh I mentioned above that the go said 'it had characteristics of skin cancer' and needed a referral. This was Friday night after I realised he hadn't had it checked and he managed to get an appt.

We don't really have any idea what it is but the thought of it being something other than basal cell (which he had previously) scares me so much

Don't worry so much OP ..very common...they will remove anything suspicious..biopsy it. I had one removed from face .my ex worked outside and had that many removed i lost count. These were basal cell/scc etc not melanoma...they are easily removed and aren't dangerous. Xxx

Yes, I saw that but I would have assumed the GP would have mentioned what type of skin cancer.

BCC and SCC are not a major worry. Melanoma is. It's a bit irresponsible of the GP not to at least say which type it has characteristics of.

Even if it's squamous rather than basal, it's not a major worry. Your description does not sound like a melanoma.

In my experience, in terms of my own experience and others I know, GPs have a very low threshold for skin cancer clinic referrals and they almost always just remove things just to avoid the risk. So I wouldn’t be too concerned with a referral - it is more often than not a cautious but routine approach.

Thanks for the replies. It has helped to talk about it. I know dr Google can mess with my head but it does look like a mark left by the end of a sharp pencil which Google describes as stage 1 melanoma. His basal cell was like a pink raised lump. He had a very large area removed and it was slow growing. This one is worrying me

The low threshold is only right. The only way you can tell it is cancerous is to remove it and do a biopsy.

I've had two "suspicious lesions" removed recently. One was a BCC and the other was not.

In bed 2 days post-op from sarcoma of skin being removed from hand. Second op. in a matter of weeks. Just wanted to mention that treatment has been quick once diagnosis confirmed. Good luck.

Firstly, I'm sorry you're going through this.
I'm currently waiting for diagnosis myself, and it's not fun.
Also ignore all the people saying Squamous Cell isn't a big deal, my Dad died from it two years ago. Skin Cancer, no matter what type, is no joke. And should be taken very seriously. I hope all goes well.
Fuck Cancer! 🖕

I've just had a BCC biopsied and it was invasive, so removed a month ago. Waiting for results now. Nothing to advise, but offering a handhold

There are different types of BCC, I had a nodular, infiltrative one removed and treated a superficial one with Efudex cream, I was referred under two week pathway as GP wasn't sure if it might be SCC, I was took off the urgent pathway after the consultant had seen it as very likely BCC which it was

I'm sorry about your father.

For the op, the fact it is only there a few months means that even if it is squamous, it is not likely to be an issue. While they are faster growing than basal, they are still relatively slow. They are also very unlikely to metastasise. But yes, all types need to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Thanks for the hand hold and replies. I'm not sure about the suggestions for squalous skin cancer. I've never heard of it. I thought there was melanoma and basal cell. It looks like he's been stabbed with a pencil. Like a black dot that crusts and scabs then bleeds

I’m sorry for your loss. I agree re squamous, my Dad’s grew really quickly and it’s definitely a serious cancer 💕

Just to update- he's been given cream to 'burn it off' and an appt in 3 months. I'm not sure what else was said as I was working when he had his appointment. Thanks for the handhold. Hopefully it will sort it

That's good, they can't think it is too bad then, is it Efudex cream, I had that for one on my ankle, it can make it quite sore after about a week of using, it then went a bit scabby, don't know if mines worked yet for another month or so as it has to heal afterwards.

Yes that cream x