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Possible Squamous Cell Cancer

TJay5678
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I’ve had a growth on my scalp now for 9 weeks, that does look like pictures of Squamous Cell Cancer. My GP can’t remove it or biopsy, and has Red Flag referred me to our hospital Dermatology team for investigation. I’ve now learnt that due to NHS waiting times in my Trust, it is likely to be 5 months before I will even be seen for my initial biopsy appointment as that is how bad their waiting lists are for Red Flag referrals. 
Obviously I’m trying not to worry, and if I was going to be seen in the standard 2 week referral target window I would be confident that all will be fine if the biopsy came back confirming SCC, however with a delay of 5 months my worry is what damage could be done between now and then. I guess my question is, is this type of skin cancer one that can spread to other locations and if so, is there anything I can do to try to prevent it while waiting to be seen? Thanks

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    Hi TJay

    Did your GP suspect it was skin SCC? or something else.

    Usually if suspected SCC you would get an urgent referral and be seen in a matter of weeks.

    Whilst a Skin BCC which is slow growing would be less urgent priority.

    You could always ask for a second opinion from another GP.

    Or if you can afford it get a diagnosis privately you can always opt for the rest of the treatment on NHS or pay around £1000 for the excision.

    SCC can spread, it can also grow very quickly.

    Ed

  • Offline in reply to Farmer_Ed

    Hi Ed - thanks for your reply. Yes GP agreed suspected SCC, and they have done the most urgent referral which now has a 5 month wait (routine referrals to Derm in my area are a 3year wait!). I did contact one of the local private hospitals - they have clearly also been affected by the nhs waiting lists as they estimate a 3 month wait for Derm appointment! I’m just so nervous that I’m walking around with a potential skin cancer and there’s absolutely nothing more I can do about it. 

    Thanks again, I appreciate you taking the time for your reply. 

  • Hi TJay and thank you for your post

    I'm sorry you are worried about your mole.

    Waiting for any length of time when you are worried can be stressful. Unfortunately, dermatology is a very busy department, and there can be long waiting times for appointments.

    I am not sure if you can speed this up but if you have not already done this you could inform your GP.  They might be able to refer you to another hospital with a shorter waiting time.

    Squamous cell carcinoma is classified as a non-melanoma skin cancer. These cancers typically do not spread. If they do, it's most often to the deeper layers of the skin. They can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body, but this is unusual.

    You are right to check your skin for any changes that may occur.  As well as the  ABCDE  rule which I expect you have read about, there is also the idea of looking for the odd one out, that is a mole that doesn't look like all the others. And the NHS website has a mole assessment tool.   

    It's understandable to feel anxious during this time. We often recommend visiting the NHS Every Mind Matters website or Anxiety UK    for tips on how to cope while you wait for more information.

    I hope you know more soon and everything will be ok.

    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 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Kind regards,

    Tina

  • Offline in reply to TJay5678

    Hi Tjay

    Tina offers another interesting solution which is to see if you can be referred to a different hospital with a smaller waiting list in dermatology.

    I have a 30 year history of skin cancer starting with BCC lesions. 10 years ago I had an SCC lump appear on my forehead it took 3 months and 3 visits to different GPs to persuade them for a referral to dermatology. Then 2 weeks wait for appointment. 3 weeks to get biopsy taken 2 more weeks for results. Then 2 weeks more to get scans and another 2 weeks for surgery with plastic surgeon. 6 months in all. During which time the lesion had ulcerated and grown deep to my skull bone and was not able to be completely removed. Then radiotherapy to try kill remaining cancer cells. It then advanced locally to nearby areas and my parotid gland and lymphs. Which required a radical neck dissection and more radiotherapy. I have recently had more surgery for a large tumour and am now on immunotherapy Cimiplimab as palliative care as more surgery and radiotherapy are no longer an option.

    The point of this is story is SCC can be serious when it is behaving badly but as Tina says it usually isn't. And that although you could get an initial appointment in 5 months it could be a further 6 months before you get any treatment. A long time to wait if it is an aggressive cancer.

    Try whatever way you can to get it seen to sooner. Even if it means taking out a loan, selling your car or whatever. Your health is your most valuable possession.

    Ed

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