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Squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp (skin)
This is on behalf of my father recently diagnosed with squamous cell
Carcinoma on his scalp. He’s 95 and debating on getting the MOHS procedure done. He has mobility issues and not a lot of energy. If he chooses to leave it untreated (it’s 2 1/2” in diameter now) what will his life be like. Dying of cancer can be quite awful I understand. Has/is anybody else dealing with this decision for themselves or a loved one?
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My father is 85 and has suffered with aggressive skin cancer for over 2 decades and I have had both as well.
Squamous is by nature much more aggressive. Have you talked to your father’s doctor to best determine which choice to make? I know older people are fragile so these decisions aren’t easy.
There are also different types of squamous and that is important from a pathology perspective
Perhaps it can be excised with Mohs. Skin grafts can also be done if needed.
I relate!!! I had my first basal cell some 40+ years ago. It was originally a big hole under my eye but healed nicely. Then when I retired, I moved to Florida and oh great I can get suntan all the time. Apart from all the brown spots I developed, I also started getting more basal cell cancers and burned off some but had 2 Mohs procedures also. I got tired of cutting things off so I stopped going out in the sun! I moved back to Minnesota later. Then I had radiation for lung cancer and got a squamous cell cancer on breast right in line of radiation which dermatologist cut out. Now I just found another basal on the forehead - these are always on the driver's side, so I think I am getting sun through car window. I know my dermatologist in Florida kept sunscreen in her car and put it on her hands and face when driving.
I have had cancer on my scalp and arm. I believe, considering the number of brown spots and the cancer, on the left side of my head, I figured it may be partly due to the window on the driver side of the window with continued exposure to the sun.