Thank you for the welcome. They did the “scrape” test on the spot in concern and the result is “squamous cell carcinoma”, you’re basic boring cancer. The difference between “basal” and “squamous” is that basal is unlikely to spread to other organs. Squamous can attack lymph nodes and even the brain though, it usually takes time to do so. (The ‘usually’ is the concern, usually could mean a few days, weeks, months or years. At 81, taking years is less concerning than it might be for a younger person.) My hesitation has been that this same demonology practice removed another squamous around 18 months ago and it appeared to me, a layman, that they did it badly. They had to create a rather odd skin fold over the area because they didn’t appear to be paying close attention to what they were doing. Furthermore, the surgeon seemed largely disinterested and even a bit annoyed at having to do this procedure. Surely, he could have been earning points toward becoming a famous Hollywood makeover specialist. I recently saw my primary and expressed some concern to him. He immediately said that if I was uncomfortable with this particular practice, he would refer me to another. He did and the surgeon at that practice is well liked and respected by those of his patients who I already knew. I will proceed with changing dermatologists. Then have the spot removed.
Relating to this original question, I am curious about proceeding with removal. This is the second of these found on me. The previous was about 2 years ago. New one is described as being on my “right ventral proximal forearm” and the lab sample was described as being 1.1 cm by .8 cm. My concern is twofold. The previous removal located about 3.5 inches below this site was not, in my opinion, done well. So at age 81 I’m wondering if I can skip this procedure?
I am 89 and was thinking of 'no more cancer screenings'. BUT---had keratoses frozen on scalp in December, again in April; then one began to grow quickly into a horn= squamous cell. Had Moh's surgery yesterday w/ skin graft. It's all very unpleasant, but advised if ignored could penetrate skull bone in time!
I have had numerous basal cell, squamous cell, and even 2 melanomas. I really can't remember all the surgeries.
I have also had angiosarcoma, GIST, a pre-cancer of my thyroid, the list goes on and on.
Obviously the cancers were found early before I went to my reward!
But everyone reaches their limit, and the lip squamous, is mine. The surgery was painful, the scar is quite obvious , and it is still, after 6 months, painful. The thought of another similar procedure is well, unthinkable.
I don't know how your poor uncle got through such an ordeal.
For about ten years I had recurring small skin lesions and sores that required many appointments with a dermatologist and two surgical removals of squamous cell growths, one on the side of my cheek and the other on my left ear. In about May of 2023, I began to take a couple of tablets of kelp each day because I knew that kelp is rich in iodine and that the skin needs iodine to be healthy. (For many years I had refrained from taking iodine in any form because I assumed I did not need it: I had an underactive thyroid and had been taking 88 mcg of levothyroxin with annual T3 and t4 tests for at least twenty years.) After about six weeks, the lesions and sores on my skin disappeared and my skin has remained healthy for the past year. I no longer see a dermatologist. Hope this helps someone.
For about ten years I had recurring small skin lesions and sores that required many appointments with a dermatologist and two surgical removals of squamous cell growths, one on the side of my cheek and the other on my left ear. In about May of 2023, I began to take a couple of tablets of kelp each day because I knew that kelp is rich in iodine and that the skin needs iodine to be healthy. (For many years I had refrained from taking iodine in any form because I assumed I did not need it: I had an underactive thyroid and had been taking 88 mcg of levothyroxin with annual T3 and t4 tests for at least twenty years.) After about six weeks, the lesions and sores on my skin disappeared and my skin has remained healthy for the past year. I no longer see a dermatologist. Hope this helps someone.
For about ten years I had recurring small skin lesions and sores that required many appointments with a dermatologist and two surgical removals of squamous cell growths, one on the side of my cheek and the other on my left ear. In about May of 2023, I began to take a couple of tablets of kelp each day because I knew that kelp is rich in iodine and that the skin needs iodine to be healthy. (For many years I had refrained from taking iodine in any form because I assumed I did not need it: I had an underactive thyroid and had been taking 88 mcg of levothyroxin with annual T3 and t4 tests for at least twenty years.) After about six weeks, the lesions and sores on my skin disappeared and my skin has remained healthy for the past year. I no longer see a dermatologist. Hope this helps someone.
jimbo ---Good idea. I had my thyroid removed about 10-12 years ago & am taking 150 MCG's daily of levothyroxin. It still isn't enough, so my Dr. is trying to get the dose normalized.
I think I will try your solution of kelp.
Thanks so much!
Amazon sells different brands of kelp. I take 2 tablets of the Jamieson brand every day so it gives me about 1.2 mg of iodine. The Japanese diet on average yields about 2 mg of iodine per day. Here is a link to an informative article on iodine. Jim https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/3/1228
Amazon sells different brands of kelp. I take 2 tablets of the Jamieson brand every day so it gives me about 1.2 mg of iodine. The Japanese diet on average yields about 2 mg of iodine per day. Here is a link to an informative article on iodine. Jim https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/3/1228
Relating to this original question, I am curious about proceeding with removal. This is the second of these found on me. The previous was about 2 years ago. New one is described as being on my “right ventral proximal forearm” and the lab sample was described as being 1.1 cm by .8 cm. My concern is twofold. The previous removal located about 3.5 inches below this site was not, in my opinion, done well. So at age 81 I’m wondering if I can skip this procedure?
I am 89 yrs. and understand your hesitation for needles and knives. I recently yielded to Moh's on scalp for fast growing squamous and am still healing from associated skin graft. All very unpleasant. but needed? Best to you.
I am 89 yrs. and understand your hesitation for needles and knives. I recently yielded to Moh's on scalp for fast growing squamous and am still healing from associated skin graft. All very unpleasant. but needed? Best to you.
Part of the reason I was hesitant to proceed with the MOHS was my discomfort with the surgeon and others at the Dermatology practice. My primary has since advised that I should have the procedure and referred me to another dermatologist. I will see that doctor soon and I will see how that goes,
I am 89 yrs. and understand your hesitation for needles and knives. I recently yielded to Moh's on scalp for fast growing squamous and am still healing from associated skin graft. All very unpleasant. but needed? Best to you.
I am still healing from Moh's, it has been 6 months and it still is very tender and sore. I really don't want to go back to the surgeon and face more pain. The area is on my lip which is extremely sensitive, and there is another spot there which just might be yet another cancer.
I have an appointment with my regular dermatologist in a couple of days, and don't want him to tell me that I need more surgery.
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Thank you for the welcome. They did the “scrape” test on the spot in concern and the result is “squamous cell carcinoma”, you’re basic boring cancer. The difference between “basal” and “squamous” is that basal is unlikely to spread to other organs. Squamous can attack lymph nodes and even the brain though, it usually takes time to do so. (The ‘usually’ is the concern, usually could mean a few days, weeks, months or years. At 81, taking years is less concerning than it might be for a younger person.) My hesitation has been that this same demonology practice removed another squamous around 18 months ago and it appeared to me, a layman, that they did it badly. They had to create a rather odd skin fold over the area because they didn’t appear to be paying close attention to what they were doing. Furthermore, the surgeon seemed largely disinterested and even a bit annoyed at having to do this procedure. Surely, he could have been earning points toward becoming a famous Hollywood makeover specialist. I recently saw my primary and expressed some concern to him. He immediately said that if I was uncomfortable with this particular practice, he would refer me to another. He did and the surgeon at that practice is well liked and respected by those of his patients who I already knew. I will proceed with changing dermatologists. Then have the spot removed.
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Hug
1 ReactionI am 89 and was thinking of 'no more cancer screenings'. BUT---had keratoses frozen on scalp in December, again in April; then one began to grow quickly into a horn= squamous cell. Had Moh's surgery yesterday w/ skin graft. It's all very unpleasant, but advised if ignored could penetrate skull bone in time!
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsFor about ten years I had recurring small skin lesions and sores that required many appointments with a dermatologist and two surgical removals of squamous cell growths, one on the side of my cheek and the other on my left ear. In about May of 2023, I began to take a couple of tablets of kelp each day because I knew that kelp is rich in iodine and that the skin needs iodine to be healthy. (For many years I had refrained from taking iodine in any form because I assumed I did not need it: I had an underactive thyroid and had been taking 88 mcg of levothyroxin with annual T3 and t4 tests for at least twenty years.) After about six weeks, the lesions and sores on my skin disappeared and my skin has remained healthy for the past year. I no longer see a dermatologist. Hope this helps someone.
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3 ReactionsAmazing results you've had! Thanks for sharing and I will surely try the kelp. My only iodine comes from the table salt and probably not much?
jimbo ---Good idea. I had my thyroid removed about 10-12 years ago & am taking 150 MCG's daily of levothyroxin. It still isn't enough, so my Dr. is trying to get the dose normalized.
I think I will try your solution of kelp.
Thanks so much!
Amazon sells different brands of kelp. I take 2 tablets of the Jamieson brand every day so it gives me about 1.2 mg of iodine. The Japanese diet on average yields about 2 mg of iodine per day. Here is a link to an informative article on iodine. Jim
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/3/1228
Thank you for the details.
I am 89 yrs. and understand your hesitation for needles and knives. I recently yielded to Moh's on scalp for fast growing squamous and am still healing from associated skin graft. All very unpleasant. but needed? Best to you.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionPart of the reason I was hesitant to proceed with the MOHS was my discomfort with the surgeon and others at the Dermatology practice. My primary has since advised that I should have the procedure and referred me to another dermatologist. I will see that doctor soon and I will see how that goes,
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am still healing from Moh's, it has been 6 months and it still is very tender and sore. I really don't want to go back to the surgeon and face more pain. The area is on my lip which is extremely sensitive, and there is another spot there which just might be yet another cancer.
I have an appointment with my regular dermatologist in a couple of days, and don't want him to tell me that I need more surgery.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
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