Skin squamous cell carcinoma (recurring)

Posted by annabach @annabach, Jul 2, 2023

Anyone else battled on-going outbreaks of squamous cell cancers? I have had dozens on my legs in the last two years. One required a swim graft. Three were MOHS procedures. A dozen were excisions with sutures. The rest were small and frozen. I just had an aggressive one removed the had quickly extended all the way to muscle. Who did you see? Are there other treatment options besides continued surgeries? I have at least six more that have popped up in the last week. It feels as though this will never end!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

@annabach

Yes. It’s Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP
0.1%

Jump to this post

Forgot to mention that the docs also advised me to take Nicotinamide (B3) 500 mg twice a day. I have been doing that for over a year now. I can’t say that for sure it has helped, but I have seen a reduction in numbers of new SCCs.

REPLY

My dermatologist prescribed this cream for rashes. It has a calming affect on your skin.

I have had basal as well as squamous cancers and always went with MOHS. My dermatologist went over all the different type treatments for my skin cancer and gave me the option to pick the one I wanted after explaining them to me and the pros and cons.

This was at Mayo Jacksonville.

REPLY
@maggielynn

I am going to consult with a oncologist pertaining to Libtayo infusion..... HAS ANYONE HAD THIS???? I understand there are risks, and would prefer not to do this infusion, however, my doctor is telling me I get reactive SQ with surgery, and need to have 5 more surgeries primarily on legs.
I still want to explore options.
Sincerely,
Margo (maggielynn)

Jump to this post

Oh no! So sorry! My last three (at this point) were MOHS excised in June and July. Very deep and very aggressive. And they are still weeks out from being closed completely because the healing takes so long on the legs. Since I’ve had trouble with sutures not holding and multiple infections, the surgeon didn’t completely close the wounds to let them drain. The drainage has made for lots of wound care, but no infections so far. And the steroid cream I’ve applied to the rest of my legs seems to have calmed the skin enough so that I’ve had no further occurrences. I know nothing about the infusion option you’ve been offered. I know that at my most desperate point, I would have considered almost any option. I’m sure you will study side effects and ask to talk to patients in similar circumstances who can give you their first hand experience of the drug involved. Be your own advocate! Let us know what you decide!

REPLY
@annabach

Oh no! So sorry! My last three (at this point) were MOHS excised in June and July. Very deep and very aggressive. And they are still weeks out from being closed completely because the healing takes so long on the legs. Since I’ve had trouble with sutures not holding and multiple infections, the surgeon didn’t completely close the wounds to let them drain. The drainage has made for lots of wound care, but no infections so far. And the steroid cream I’ve applied to the rest of my legs seems to have calmed the skin enough so that I’ve had no further occurrences. I know nothing about the infusion option you’ve been offered. I know that at my most desperate point, I would have considered almost any option. I’m sure you will study side effects and ask to talk to patients in similar circumstances who can give you their first hand experience of the drug involved. Be your own advocate! Let us know what you decide!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response!
Can you please tell me the name of the steroid cream you are using on your legs.
Thank you!

REPLY
@annabach

Yes. It’s Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP
0.1%

Jump to this post

THANK YOU!!!!
So, just to understand, you apply this cream on the surgey site after surgery, correct?

REPLY

Not on open wounds, no I use it on the inflamed skin around the wounds. I am allergic to all antibiotic creams and have to use gauze and paper tape because most bandaging aids have adhesive that keep my skin inflamed. I see this as calming my skin so that I don’t get the reactive outbreak of more SCCs. Since I’ve been using it on both legs - like a moisturizer of sorts - I have had no new outbreaks. Can’t swear that’s the reason, but it has been nonstop for two years that when getting excisions done I was pointing out the 4-6 new spots. Not so now. I would pray you might have the same results it’s used twice a day for 2 weeks. Then a short break before resuming its use if needed. I’ve followed that pattern for the last two months. Hope this info helps

REPLY
@maggielynn

Thank you for your response!
Can you please tell me the name of the steroid cream you are using on your legs.
Thank you!

Jump to this post

Triamcinalone Acetonide Cream USP 0.1%

I don’t use it directly on the open wounds, but like a moisturizer on the irritated skin around them. I have used it on both legs for about six weeks - two weeks twice a day, then a short pause and another two weeks. For the first time in two years I have no new SCCs. Can’t prove it’s the cream, but I had been pointing out 4-6 new spots every time I had an excision

REPLY

I found it helpful and have been directed by my dermatologist to use if for many purposes. But never on an open wound.

Remember this is a prescription steroid medication and should be used with caution and per your physician directions only.

REPLY
@thomasgrove

My Dermatologist offered an alternative treatment and it was a disaster for me. They encourage patients to consider Superficial Radiation Treatment (SRT).

I ended up with a non-healing ulcer in my lower leg that took a year to heal. Weekly visits to a wound treatment center for painful debridement and 30 days of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments (HBOT) provided the best path to healing.

I thoroughly researched SRT and found it is contraindicated for lower limbs. Lower vascular circulation is impeded by radiation damage.

In an effort to protect other patients from the ordeal I experienced, I documented my research on the FDA adverse event MAUDE database. This and other adverse event reports for SRT treatment injuries can be found on the FDA MAUDE database, search manufacturer “Sensus Healthcare” with a date range starting in 2016 to current date.

SRT is marketed to Dermatologists and I suspect it is effective for head and neck regions, it is contraindicated for lower limbs and they falsely claim it is ideal for SCC in lower legs

Jump to this post

That sounds awful, for a dermatologist to recommend a treatment that turned out so bad, I am sorry! And the fact that you had so many cancers and [faulty] treatments.

REPLY

Thank you for your message

I am concerned when Dermatologists are suddenly using radiation and there is no health physics expertise in their practice. The SRT treatment may work well for arms and areas around the head. It is contraindicated for lower legs and the manufacturer, Sensus Healthcare and their partner, gentle cure.com. are promoting it for SCC on legs.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.