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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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Heading for my 36th libtayo infusion after almost 2 yrs. Finally had a good PET scan which
showed a minor "hot spot" on my lung which dr. has said may just be inflammation. We are
now discussing a 6 week regimen which would be fantastic. I am starting to get lots of itching
which I've not had before but I'm ok with tolerating it. Both needle procedures direct to affected
neck lymph nodes have worked and now no cancer cells there.
@gracietucker I had a SCC on the right front top of my head. My MOS surgeon initially did a biopsy which must have shown a deeper cancer. She operated and ended up removing a mas the size of a racquet ball that went to the nerves of the skull but not in the skull. I needed plastic surgery to close it up and had radiation to that area and lymph node. I am presently receiving immunotherapy therapy ( Libtayo) All of this to prevent a reoccurrence.
I don’t know how much information they get from a biopsy and does the immune therapy really prevent more SCC.
I was told the determining factor for aggressive squamous cell cancer is circumference and depth. There seems to be no way to identify it early except physically examining.
After 1-1/2 yrs on Libtayo I can say that SCC breakouts have stopped on my skin. But, it had already infiltrated my
lymph nodes and shown up on PET scans that I have every 3 months. I have ongoing Signatera bloodwork that tracks the original scc tumor dna in my body at a much earlier state than can be detected on PETs. I was doing well with my Signatera number until a few months ago...it jumped from 2 to 10 and now latest to 30! I have my next infusion in a week and will see what the oncologist says. I was hoping to get on a 6 week regimen but now not sure whats ahead.
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1 ReactionDid you have any treatment for the invasive squamous cell carcinoma? Good luck to you! Waiting to see the radiologist now!
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1 ReactionI will be starting radiation for SCC - 5 days a week for 3-4 weeks. It's Stage 1 and localized. Another doctor recommended both chemo pills & radiation but the radiology oncologist said there has been high success with just radiation. A leap of faith.
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1 ReactionI had MOHS surgery to have the cancer removed. The doctor found that the cancer was quite deep but he said he got it all. Mine was at my forehead hairline and my hair is growing back nicely. From the time I was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer to the time I was able to get in for the surgery was several months. I believe that it grew deeper during that time.
@magscratch I too chose the Radiation route. Image guided Radiation therapy three times a week for 25 treatments. I chose this route because it was on my tibia with very little skin there for surgery.
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1 Reaction@mpbarn55 I'll begin radiation hopefully next week. Had hoped to start yesterday but not 100 % healed from surgical removal of SCC yet so I'll have to wait another week.
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2 Reactions@mpbarn55, how did your appointment with the radiologist go? Do you have invasive squamous cell carcinoma? How are you doing?
@colleenyoung Thank you- I start radiation this Wednesday for 15 treatments. The original “pimple” on my cheek was removed by Mohs so I was surprised when they told me I also needed radiation. I’m worried about side effects. Are there any I should know about?