Laser treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma

@sherold
Are you a patient of Mayo? When I got my Basa Cell Carcinoma lab report back my dermatologist went over all the different treatments and options I had. She went over the pros and cons of each treatment. I picked MOHS and hvae done them about 6 times now with only caveat seems to take a long time to heal.

She mentioned a lot of treatment options but don't think the pulsated dye laser was mentioned. I go to Mayo Jacksonville.

I wish that I had the option of a laser treatment. I had a large Squamous cell on my upper lip and it was removed by Moh's surgery. It was and still is painful, and the scar left is large and noticeable . This is the first Moh's that was painful because of where it was. I've had many of them.
Unfortunately, I do not live anywhere near a Mayo clinic or any facility that offers laser treatments.

Hi @sherold

It is good to be proactive concerning any cancer treatment and to seek a second opinion, if you have any questions or concerns that are not being addressed by your current medical team.

It sounds like your current doctor is recommending the MOHs procedure. Have you asked about other treatments?

Here is some information about the pulsed dye laser treatment that you mentioned. This is from the Stanford Health Care website,
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/p/pulsed-dye-laser-treatment.html
If you would like to inquire about an appointment at Mayo Clinic for a second opinion, here is a link where you can get appointment information for any or the three Mayo Clinic facilities, http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

When was the basal cell carcinoma diagnosed?

@sherold, yes, Mayo Clinic offers pulsed dye laser treatments in dermatology and is researching its use in the treatment of melanoma metastatic to the skin. See this information:

- Laser therapy for skin regeneration https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/laser-therapy-for-skin-regeneration/

- The use of pulsed dye laser in the treatment of melanoma metastatic to the skin: A Mayo Clinic case series https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(09)02309-3/abstract

As @hopeful33250 mentions, you may wish to contact Mayo Clinic, using this link to inquire further about it as a potential option for your nodular basal cell carcinoma http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Hi Mermaid7272, I have a recent basal cell carcinoma diagnosis on my upper lip (both sides) and I’m facing mohs surgery. I’d love to hear about your experience and suggestions. Much appreciated!

I had the surgery a month ago for a fairly large Squamous on my upper lip. I've had about 5 of these done in various places, This one had three "passes" before it was declared clear of cancerous cells.
Lips are a sensitive area (as you know!), so tell the doctor to numb your lip before giving you the anesthesia shots. He will remove a thin layer of skin and then send it to an adjacent lab to check if he removed all the cancerous cells. If so he will stitch you up, if not, he will remove another layer till all is clear.
Mine was deep, and the scar is large, it feels very tight & there is a large lump. I had to go back to have the stitches removed, and then go back again for another check up. I don't know what he will do for the scar, but I am putting a scar gel called Medera, or something like that, for healing. So far, it hasn't done much.
I hope it heals up, but it just needs time, I hope and think you will be fine, and PLEASE let me know how you are getting along.

Mermaid7272 Thank you for your response! I have some more questions if you don’t mind…you said they gave you shots of anesthesia. Were you sleeping for the procedure? I was under the impression that I will be awake through the whole thing. How long did the entire process take? They told me to expect to be there for 5-6 hours. Did you have trouble eating/drinking after surgery? Did they give you any pain medication? You said you don’t know what he will do for the scar…did they mention anything about reconstructive surgery or plastic surgery? My surgeon told me there is the possibility of a flap, and I’m not sure what to expect with that if it happens. Do you experience any anxiety? This is my third cancer diagnosis in a year (kidney cancer, melanoma, and now this.) I have two spots, one on each side of my upper lip so I’m going to need another surgery for the other side. I have horrible anxiety about three cancer diagnoses and still have two more surgeries to face. I really appreciate your conversation as I feel I’m in a boat by myself with no oars!

@litl18 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You have had quite a go of things recently, and it is understandable to be anxious.

I have had several skin cancers removed, some through excision, some by MOHS. From basal, to squamous, to melanoma. This last one was another aggressive squamous just above my right wrist. Because of the location, the excision pulled skin across the area, and it was pretty uncomfortable until my skin [no fat there!] was able to elasticized enough to stretch. I think any time there is a removal of skin or underlying tissues, you get that uncomfortable stretching, no matter where it is on your body. One on the side of my nostril was the same way, slightly altering my nose shape and breathing pattern.

The doctors I have had have always made sure there is adequate local anesthesia so I do not feel anything, and they will check in with me to ensure there is as little discomfort as possible. Have confidence in your team, and keep in communication with them!
Ginger

litl18----- Yes, you will be awake, but dr. will give you shots of Lidocain (or such) anesthesia in your lip. I will be truthful, they are somewhat painful, but quick. If your Dr. can pre-numb this area, that would be great, and you should ask!
The time everything takes is dependent on how many "passes" are involved. 3 - 5 hours is normal, but maybe if you only need 1 pass, it could be quick. You get a rest between passes, so bring a book.
Eating afterwards was only a little hard, so was brushing teeth & drinking, use a straw for drinks, and eat small, soft things--no apples! I had my procedure 6 weeks ago and I am still healing & am very aware of how it feels & looks. It doesn't hurt, but I hope it will look and feel less noticeable in a couple of months. Nothing was said about plastic surgery, but you know, I am sick & tired of surgery and don't want any more stuff done to my face.
Pain meds- nothing was prescribed but Tylenol, which is like baby aspirin for me. So maybe you should get something stronger, please ask for it. Ice pack might help too.
Like you, I have had numerous cancers, some very rare. But I really don't worry about them as I beat them, and so have/will you. I had something much worse than cancer, (don't want to mention it) so I just worry about little things like the scars. You will be ok, believe me.
Send private message if you want.

I had a biopsy done on a basal cell cancer against my lower left eyelid and the Dermatologist wanted to do MOHS, (which I have had done on my shoulder) but I was concerned that being so close to my eye, perhaps an opthamologist should do the surgery. I do not want to be "put to sleep" due to other medical concerns and the MOHS would not require me to be, but the eye surgeon said it would be brutal not to be, so has anyone ever had this type of surgery near the eye and who did you trust to do it? Thanks.
BAZ10