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DiscussionWhat is better for treatment of basal skin cancer radiation or Mohs?
Melanoma & Skin Cancer | Last Active: Sep 18 11:32am | Replies (51)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Hello, I have been diagnosed with lobular basal cell carcinoma. The biopsy confirmed the same. The..."
This is my second reply. I reread your message and thought of a couple more things.
In 1992 I had a large melanoma on my back and my dermatologist sent me to a plastic surgeon friend of his. The pathology report after the surgery said the margin was not wide enough. My wife insisted I go to the John Wayne Cancer Institute to see a surgeon who had removed one of her adrenal glands a few months earlier. His organization performed all kinds of tests prior to the second surgery and enrolled me in a clinical trial. It all worked as I'm still here 33 years later.
My BCC was on my lower eyelid. Going to the appointment I had no idea what was involved in the reconstruction surgery by a second surgeon and was really pissed when I found out my eye would be sewn shut for six weeks. I should have looked into it before I went. Live and learn. Good luck with your second surgery.
@gustavo1975 I had nodular basal cell carcinoma, between my throat and collarbone. What looked like a small spot on the surface had spread out underneath my skin. They did a MOHS surgery to get everything, and had to do 5 passes! That was very unusual. But, here I am, 5 years later, with this very neat jagged lightning-looking scar.
You probably want to get it all removed, so there is less chance of reoccurrence. That is my humble opinion. Any procedure will take time to heal, and everyone is different in their healing times.
Ginger
@gustavo1975
I have had about 8 Mohs surgeries to remove basal cell cancer (BCC) and one SCC.
You asked about MOHS. Is it painful. No. The most painful thing is getting the nummy medication into the area around where the MOHS surgery will be. After that you only feel pressure.
Time to heal really deals with where the surgery was done. How much skin was removed, etc. So not having that information can't comment nor would I as that is something a dermatologist should guide you on and/or your MOHS surgeon.
MOHS surgery is taking the diagnosed area and some tissue outside of the the diagnosed area. Then the tissue is sent to pathlology and it is determine if all cancer is gone or a need to take more tissue out. Then when more tissue is taken goes back to pathlology to determine if all margins are clear. You remain in surgery until all margins are clear.
Basal cell cancers grown slowly. Most are not going to metasisies (per my dermatologist) but can. My dermatologist said worst for Basal Cell is not treating and removing but letting grow. It can then invade other tissues, muscles, organs, as it grows and surgery become much more serious.
Why is so important to get it early with ongoing dermatologist inspection of your skin.
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I am wondering if you meant Nodular BCC rather than Lobular. I can only find Lobular in relation to breast cancer.
Mohs surgery is your best option for BCC. It's possible for BCC to return but less likely with Mohs surgery as they make sure the margins are clear before they stop cutting. The surgery itself doesn't hurt, thanks to the slightly painful shots you get beforehand. Depending on where the surgery is located, it could be sore after the surgery. My lower eyelid surgery was sore and ugly for six weeks until the stitches were removed. I had one on my shin that got infected and took 10-12 weeks to heal. It never really hurt very bad.
My suggestion is to get the Mohs surgery before the BCC gets larger.