MOHs surgery basal cell carcinoma

5 years ago I had a tiny bcc removed by MOHs surgery, it was on my temple, near my ear. Six months after I brought up with my surgeon that there was swelling around the area and was told it was scar tissue. Every 6 months after, when I saw my dermatologist I brought up that the swelling was spreading and again was told scar tissue. 3 years after, I could feel swelling under my skin, nothing was visible to the eye and my dermatologist couldn’t feel anything either BUTI COULD. I pushed for a biopsy which came back as a BCC. I was given a 26 week wait for surgery but instead asked to be referred to the private (NHS paid) clinic that had removed my prior bcc’s, this was mainly because I felt it was spreading rapidly towards my eye. I had the surgery in 6 weeks and the surgeon remarked that he couldn’t see anything let alone feel it but started removing skin as I had tested positive for a bcc. It took 7 goes before they had a clear margin and the tumour was almost 4 inches and stretched from my ear to my eye. The surgeon remarked that he had never seen this type of recurrence with this speed but was hopeful it wouldn’t come back again. I also had to go back for an eyebrow lift due to nerve and muscle damage.  Fast forward to now and it feels like it has come back, I’m in constant pain and getting the same feelings in that area (and beyond) as before, twice in a year I have told my dermatologist this and both times have been told he cannot see anything so therefore nothing is there. I have said this is what concerns me as it wasn’t visible before but yet again today I’ve been fobbed off and told to come back in 6 months. I’m scared that if this has come back that it could invade the skull. The pain I’m in indicates something is going on. What do I do? Sorry for the long post. 

  • Hi Lizzybeth and thank you for your post.

    It sounds like you went through a difficult time when you were first diagnosed with BCC five years ago.

    I am sorry to learn that it feels like the BCC has returned, I can imagine this is a worrying time. 

    I know you have spoken with the consultant about this. Still, you could contact their secretary and see if it is possible to have another appointment with them to discuss your concerns again before your next appointment. Or It might be worth discussing this with your GP and seeing if you could get a second opinion from another dermatologist at the hospital or a different hospital.

    I hope this helps. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

    Take care, Lizzybeth.

    All the best

    Jemma