Radiotherapy for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Hello, 

I was wondering if anyone has had BCC treated with radiotherapy rather than surgery? I can’t seem to find many posts about this but I have been offered this by my consultant as another option as he said surgery will be extensive and could result in some disfigurement I am only 43 and it is right in the middle of my nose. I have already had 10p size excision from my temple a couple of years ago for a pre melanoma patch so I really want to reduce the amount of scarring I have if possible.

thank you so much 

  • I've had extensive surgery for BCC and SCC with skin grafts on my face and forehead and nose. I have two 50mm plus scars and a recent 75mm gouged out scar. I am so self conscious of these that I avoid socialising,, when I do I put a surgical dressing over them. So I know how you feel. You have to balance out whether the risks of radiotherapy are worth the minimizing of a scar. Three of the surgeries on my face also required radiotherapy, which has left lots of small blue unsightly dead veins.

    Im in the position of having  metastatic SCC which required my parotid gland and lymphs removed. And now in lung with widespread unresectable lesions waiting to start  a course of Cemiplimab.

    The main objective is to get rid of these cancers so ask your oncologist which treatment is most likely to result in removing the cancer and choose this option.

    The scars are  bad enough but potentially  risking your life 10 years down the line is worse.

    Ed

  • Thank you for your reply Ed, much appreciated