Skin Cancer/Squamous Carcinoma

Hi @magspierce,

Welcome to the Skin Health group; thank you so much for sharing and joining us.

We do have a few discussions on skin cancer, albeit in the Cancer group. Please meet @gaybinator @sylviapf @alpaca who talk about squamous cell carcinoma here:
– Immunotherapy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/immunotherapy/

Although this Mayo Clinic Q&A is about dry skin due to cancer radiation, it offers some good information about moisturizers:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/expert-answers/breast-cancer-radiation/faq-20057981
@magspierce, have you considered trying a heavier moisturizer, perhaps something with petroleum jelly?

@magspierce Hi Mags, I thought I replied to this before but I am now going through my mail, the last few days have been impossible, and I do not see that I did reply.
I just wanted to mention that last month I saw a dermatologist, a post-transplant specialist at MGH (the immunosuppressant drugs cause much greater sensitivity to the sun) and he said that anything over SPF 30 is wasted, so if it cost more money then it's not worth it. The statistics were something along the line of SPF 30 gives you 97% protection and 100 give you 98%. Both need to be reapplied every two hours, that's the very important part.
JK

Thank you Kanaaz! Will check those discussions out. I have used regular petroleum jelly in the past, but not thought of it recently so thanks for the reminder! I'll check the ones out with it in them.

Hi, Just saw your post about squamous cell and what your treatment was. You didn't say where on the body it was. I have had basal cell, squamous cell on my face, and melanoma in situ on my upper thigh. For my face, I had MOHS surgery, where they remove a layer of skin and examine it under the microscope and continue to remove small layers until they no longer see cancer. If you ever have skin cancer on your face- that is definitely the way to go. Very minimal scarring. Of course, the doctor was wonderful. On my upper thigh- my dermatologist noticed a very tiny freckle, which I didn't even notice was there. She biopsied it and called me several days later to tell me it was melanoma in-situ, and we caught it in time. Advised me to get an appointment with a surgeon(s), she recommended a few. She told me whoever could take me the soonest, to make the appointment with them. I had surgery and now have a 3 inch scar on my thigh; which is fading. That was probably 2012. I have always been a sun lover; living near the ocean and going to the beach since I was a kid with no sunscreen. So- many years of sun damage. My dermatologist tells me to use #70. I have heard that anything over #30 doesn't protect you any better. But, I do use #50 on my face and #20 on my body. But, we only have summer here in the Northeast for 3 months or less. Good luck!

I had a kidney tx in 1978. Everything has gone well and I’ve lived a great life longer than I expected. But am still here for the fight. I’m on medrol and Imuran and have reoccurring skin squamous cell cancers. They just get removed biopsies and more removed if necessary but they are reoccurring fast 8 in 2 years. I’m on niacinimide omega 3, sea Buckthorn and just started lutiolin. Dr. Have reduced my imuran researched solutions but to no available. Any similar stories?

I have several squamous cells, they ended up doing chemo injections in legs snd arm, all healed except left leg, I had a wound that woukd not close , did 3 biopsies, first positive second negative snd third positive, they sent me to wound specialist for a MOH th started me on clindamycin 300 bid for 20 days, they had no luck with it snd sent me back to dermatologist, who decided I needed a MOH specialist, Dr Lim took two layers off shin and closed it back, after 3 weeks, back for stitches removal, area, very painful to touch, she doesn’t know why it is so inflamed told me to come back in 2 weeks, the 19th will be two weeks! In meantime I sent a message to my dermatologist asking if I should go somewhere else, she said Dr had spoken to her snd they think my reactive squamous is back in the same spot, I have been going thru this since last June 2020, I have called Mayo in Jacksonville, hoping I can get done answers

Hi Pamela, Congratulations on 40+ years with a new kidney. Transplant recipients are more susceptible to skin cancer. @threerrr3 also has a similar experience with liver transplant and skin cancer.

@jolinda started this discussion about sun protection and transplant patients that you may wish to add your tips to.
- Anyone have tips on sun protection? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-have-tips-on-sun-protection/

You must have to keep a watchful eye on your skin. Are the lesions usually caught early?

Kscherz, that sounds very complex and painful. I, too, hope you get answers at Mayo Clinic. Is it possible that there is an underlying reason for the slow healing of the wound?

I also bruise very easily, have been to hematologist, sometimes the bruise will open and get infected! My blood courts are good! 3 different areas are stumped, so thought it was time to find out, I am a petite woman 67 and very active, just ready to get it cured

Just got word Friday that Mayo denied my visit, no explanation, just denied! Interesting! Good luck to all, guess I didn’t meet their criteria!