Basal cell carcinoma rapidly growing!
Has anyone had many basal cell carcinomas, one squamous cell, removed - literally 19 in the past year and a half? I’m told this is “normal”. Between my skin check appointment (5months) I “grew 6 new ones. Has anyone experienced this? It’s been on my back, shoulders, chest, face, legs, neck near my ear, and side of my head at the temple.
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Were they obvious. I’ve had one removed. I have a friend who has had several.
Your sun exposure history and family history are the most important
factors to consider. Have you had any preventative measures like photodynamic light therapy or topical 5 -FU? Ask about niacinamide.
He is talking about using the topical 5-fu…of course I stay out of the sun as much as possible and use preventive measures like clothing hats and sunscreen..
The very first one I had was. It was huge! Full of fluid/blood. But still “only” basal cell carcinoma (thank the good Lord above). Otherwise, no. Very small dots; a little red.
I see. The one I had was on my temple and not very large. It just seemed to never completely go away, which is why I went to my dermatologist and requested biopsy. Since then, I show her every little thing. Nothing else has looked suspicious to her. I wonder why since so many usually get multiple BCCs.
Wish I knew why singer so many! Frustrating since I do my best to cover up, use hats and sunscreen. I don’t sit outside in the sun…the human body is interesting…
@laureenlom
What is your history of sun burns? Are you still out in the sun now?
What you did 20 years ago to your skin will be what you are facing now. However, if you don't protect your already damaged skin more sun damage can just accelerate your skin cancers. This comes from my dermatologist who are always on me about using very high sun screens and even better sun blocks.
I had a friend that had a lot of basal cells and found out she had an immune disorder contributing to them.
I have had over that last 10 years about 8-9 basal cells and one SCC. I get so many suspect areas burnt off every time I go in and usually at least one biopsy done.
I use a sun block with zinc. I found it looks funny (white) but really does a good job blocking the sun. I am out in the sun every day. Last visit I did get some burn offs and one biopsy but was negative. Have not had a positive for BCC or SCC now for over a year so I am knocking on wood as I write this.
Of course we have gone over history, etc. thanks for the information on the immune disorder. I’ll look into this also! Glad you have yours under control!
Are you able to self-examine? I've had two SCCs and eight to ten BCCs since 1992 when I had a melanoma removed from my back. I didn't spend a lot of time in the sun but I always burned and almost never had tan. I got multiple burns the summer I turned 17 and it almost looked like a tan with a lot of white speckles. I have two nieces who had melanomas (one is still being treated). Their dad, my brother, always tanned and never had any skin cancers. More recently, I seem to have a couple BCCs every time I go to the Derm. As I have multiple Seborrheic Keratoses, it's hard to self-examine as everything looks bad. Try to go to a Derm at a university hospital/medical center and ask them what might be going on. 19 in 18 months is way too many for anyone.
@itchyrich
Sounds like your genetics left you with inability to tan when exposed to sun. A tan is a reaction to the sun's damage and is a protective response.
I am italian and on the darker skin side. However I burned easily but would always get darker and darker. I just was stupid or should I say not informed of sun exposure damage and continued to get sun burn every weekend I was in high school and continued into my adulthood.