Is it necessary to remove basal cell via Mohs? What are alternatives?
Was dx with basal cell on tip of nose. Derm wants to do Mohs surgery with nose reconstruction which will alter my nose. I am 78 and do not want to do this. Any suggestions?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health Support Group.
Yes I was recommended by my derm to have MOHS then cosmetic surgery to repair the wound the next day on my forehead. I didn't want to have that done either. I decided to have a second opinion and went to a derm with over 35 years of experience. He said I didn't need the MOHS or any surgery for that matter. Two non surgical options are to use a topical chemo cream Efudex, or guided superficial radiation treatment. I was initially instructed by my first dermatologist to use efudex on my face 5-7 days, my new derm said you have to use efudex for a min of 28 days on basil or squamous cell cancer. Bottom line, get a second opinion - it may save you from an unneeded surgery.
Yes, I had basal cell on my face. The problem with that is it travels deep into your skin that's why it takes so long to remove it.It took 9 hours to get all of mine out and it was a tiny clear spot. It could save your life if it goes untreated.
aamrywykabu53, Agree. Cancer needs to be removed and not allowed to grow. MOHS is one of the methods to remove the cancer at one visit. My last MOHS surgery was longer than most. The reason was the surgery did not remove the cancer during first procedure and had to have another.
For those of us that have had them you know the skin removed is sent to pathologist who confirms if all cancer is removed or what areas still have cancer. My surgeon told me sorry we did not get it all the first time but know we try to keep the loss of any healthy skin and tissues to a minimum thus we may have to do more surgical removal.
I understood and even though took a couple for hours for entire procedure I left cancer free. I did get 6 stitches (first time with MOHS) but if had to make a decision again would again do MOHS.
But each of us are different and what we want to do and do should be based on what they want to do or feel is best for them. My dermatologist gave me about 5 different ways to treat my squamous cancer NOT just MOHS. This should be the standard as many ways to treat skin cancer.
I am 73 and in a span of 40 years, I have had 2 basal cell cancers on my upper lip and both were removed with Mohs surgery. I have fair skin that doesn’t want to tan and grew up in an era when tans were highly desirable and no one I knew ever used sunscreen. Needless to say, I developed damaged skin.
I was 33 when the first occurred on the left side of my upper lip, my dermatologist, who was trained by Dr Mohs himself, recommended Mohs surgery with reconstruction. He also advised me after all was said and done to wear SPF 40 sunscreen everyday, which I have consistently done. I did not apply it to my lips, however, and in 2016, I had the same 2 surgeries on the right side of my upper lip. And I’m glad that I did because the cancer surgery without reconstruction can be quite disfiguring. However, each person needs to make their own decision. Do consider the fact that with Mohs surgery, you will know that all of the cancer is removed.
I know this is a difficult decision to make and you are wise to seek information regarding your options so you can make the right decision for you and your situation. I wish you all the best.
I am 79 and have had two MOHS on the tip of my nose. On one they shaved excess skin on upper area of nose. My second procedure nothing was needed. My nose looks normal.
I had Mohn surgery on my hand squamous cell carcinoma and got staph.
I am an elderly female with basal cell cancer on tip of nose and on dorsum of nose....should I do the Mohs procedure or radiation?
@cdeldeo What does your dermatologist have to say about it? I recently had MOHS surgery on my nose, for basal cell. The area was right near the crease of my left nostril.
Ginger
I'd definitely go for the MOHS surgery. I had it done & my nose doesn't look much different. What other options do you have? Best to you
Thank you so much...I am nervous but sounds like MOHS on the NOSE is the way to go!