Squamous cell cancer is painful and growing fast!
I was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer (at the hairline on my forehead) on May 20th. A biopsy procedure removed the raised spot but the doctor didn’t tell me what stage it was. She recommended MOHS surgery but I wasn’t able to secure an appointment until August. In the meantime, my spot has grown back twice as big and it’s very painful. Wish I could attach images; you wouldn’t believe how fast and furiously it’s grown back.
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@vtlaney
I have had 8 Mohs surgeries in the last 3 weeks with my SCC .
I have started my weekly visits with Wound Care, it my be a painful visit but they certainly expedites the healing.
All of my wounds are on my legs. Calves don't have much skin on the front, open wounds.
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1 Reaction@vtlaney Hello. I was wondering if you have had any treatment with an immunotherapy like Libtayo? My SCC was skin origin and I developed metastatic disease with multiple mets over 13 years. Libtayo has wiped out my last kidney met which included surrounding lymph nodes, and so far (knocking on wood) I have remained clear for over 2 years since stopping the infusions.
Good luck to you. It is a blessing that you have such a good hospital system for your care. I am lucky to have Mayo Rochester doing my cancer care.
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1 Reaction@sepdvm
I was being used with Libtayo every week for 9 months. It didn't work.
I was at Mayo Rochester in August and was prescribed Capecitabine 500mg twice daily and alternate weeks no and off.
I have become allergic and have had severe itching. My oncologist took me off the drug!
Don't yet know what comes next.
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1 Reaction@lips702 What a frustrating battle you are having. As a good friend told me in the midst of cancer treatments " Just keep kicking the can on down the road, and something new will come along ." Keep kicking.
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1 Reaction@gingerw i am still waiting to hear from my dermatologist at Dana Farber where i was treated for merkel cell
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1 Reaction@sepdvm I am going through basically the same thing. I have completed 6 infusions out of 12. I had a rash breakout all over my body. My dermatologist put me on Triamcinolone cream that relieved the itch and quelled the rash Everytime I stop using the cream though it comes back. I also have some kidney issues which I suspect may be from the Libtayo.
The top oncologist said to me that he thought I had enough to work. That if you listen to the drug companies they want you to take the full regimen.
I had reoccurring squamous cell carcinoma and one csc on my head which was size able. I will more than likely stop the infusion. Will see if the cancers let up.
Hang
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1 Reaction@sepdvm How long were you on Libtayo?
@louisejewell
I was on Libtayo for 9 months. Every 3 weeks.
It didn't see any decrease in lesions, stopped taking it!
@louisejewell I was on it for 28 months. The first year was every 3 weeks but as the tumors shrunk and disappeared it became every 6 weeks. I was having considerable difficulty with appetite and food just not tasting right and my oncologist recommended taking a break from it. As usual she was right, with side effects slowly improving and now almost 3 years off of it and still no visible tumor. I was very hesitant to start on this drug for fear of severe side effects, then after having success with it I did not want to stop, despite being tired and poor appetite. So far so good. New scans next month so fingers crossed.
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1 Reaction@louisejewell just had my 7th out of 12 every 3 weeks