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Basal Cell Carcinoma

lilyrose61
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Hi, this is my first post.  I saw a GP back in May 2019 and I showed her a lump on my hairline, which I had caught when hair styling and made it bleed.  She said she would refer me to dermo and I would get a dermo appointment 'one day'.  Therefore I had little cause for concern. 

Fast forward to October 2020, I have not been seen by the hospital and now all dermo treatments have been suspended due to Covid.   I feel the lump has grown larger but because of Covid I haven't chased the GP until today.  I had a video consultation with a different GP and she thinks it is BCC.  Obviously now I am really worried that it may have spread.  I often get one sided headaches and migraine (that side) and I'm scared now that this BCC may have spread to my bones somehow.  Has anyone else had a BCC on their forehead/hairline?

  • Offline in reply to Moonshimmer

    Hi had one for over 5 years and it was removed yesterday I was so worried. but so quick and easily removed. 

  • Offline in reply to Tinag44

    Hi Tina, I saw your reply to me the other day but for some unknown reason when I tried to login later that day to chat to you my password didn't work. Tried and tried then on changing p/word I'm here! Am knew here so apologies. Am glad you managed the op alright. Have you to get further results? Hope you are well.

    Kindest Regards

  • Offline in reply to Moonshimmer

    Hi yes thank you I just got to wait 3-5 weeks just to confirm it was a bcc and to make sure they got it all.

     

    tegards 

     

    tina 

  • Offline in reply to Tinag44

    OK Tina, let me know when you get your results. Meantime take care.

    Moonshimmer

  • Offline in reply to Moonshimmer

    Hi moonshimmer 

    I got my results today it was a bcc and they got it all so no further treatment needed what a relieve x

  • Offline

    Hello lilyrose 

    im new the this , I have just found out I have a basal cell carcinoma on my upper lip I'm in Berkshire and looking through old posts to find some information, I'm so worried and scared with how long I'll have to wait as mine has been there for around 15 years. I see your Buckinghamshire and was wondering what hospital they may have sent you to as my gp said it could be far out xx

  • Offline in reply to Mummy121

    Hi I hope your BCC is now sorted? I have just found that I have a BCC on my back and due to get this removed asap just waiting for a letter to confirm. 

    I feel so down, I keep thinking so sad that I have a form of cancer and it's really got to me. 

    I know they don't usually spread and easily removed but I just feel like what if mine has spread? I'm not sure how I feel at the moment and it's just really effected me.. has anyone felt this way after finding out they have a BCC?

  • Offline in reply to Samlou87

    Hi,

    The word 'cancer' immediately make us think of worse case scenarios but please believe me, and the other knowlegeable comments on this post, that BCC is at the very lowest end of the cancer scale when it comes to a diagnosis. As already mentioned, it doesn't spread internally unless it's been left for many years - it's more likely to spread on the skin & become so disfiguring that most patients get it checked out before it has chance to grow below the top layer of skin. 

    To put it into perspective, each year in the UK approximately 150,000 people are diagnosed with basal cell whilst over 16,000 are diagnosed with melanoma. Of those melanoma patients, 15% will die whilst 0.48% of the basal cell patients will die. Most of those that die will be people in their 90s that have had their basal cell for years and not sought treatment for it until it became very disfiguring.That shows how rare it is for basal cell to cause any problem other than on the skin.

    My personal experience is that my dad has had two basal cells removed from his face - one was 13 years ago and the other was 4 years ago. He's still fit, healthy and suffering no after effects. My sister-in-law had one removed 2 years ago - no after effects. I had melanoma removed 25 years ago and sadly it returned after having spread but I'm still here fit & healthy. Basal cell is very common because we all like to get out in the sun and that's what we have to try and be more careful about. Once you have a basal cell you are more likely to have another one because the skin that was damaged by an accumulation of UV over the years starts to show the results of the damage as we get older. Sadly it's just something we have to accept may happen if we love(d) the sun on our skin.

    Good luck with your surgery and I'm sure you will be fine. Take care,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to Samlou87

    Hi, 

    Have just joined after getting a diagnosis of a BCC on the top left of my forehead by letter last week after a small biopsy for a 2mm spot/ulcer that was taking ages to close (had for around 3 months). I have found these forums a bit of a comfort so far as did what I'm sure most have done initially and looked at Google and seen horrendous photos and went in to quite a dark place. 

    I have been referred to a plastic surgeon and am unsure if that is because on the face they are the best people to do small/less visible scars or because they think it needs more reconstructive work but I'm lying awake every night hoping its not the latter and a simple quick removal. As embarrassing as it is to admit I literally spent three hours looking in to a magnifying mirror at every little pore/spot on my face and surrounding areas and after seeing some of the photos of removal of nose ones and am literally a complete wreck and just stressing what if get one there after and can't snap out of it especially as I think back now to couple of times getting sunburnt when younger etc. I know IF I did get any there may be other treatments anyway such as creams, photodynamic therapy etc but just can't seem to think rationally at the minute :( 

  • Offline in reply to br70

    Hi,

    BCC is either treated with topical cream etc, depending on where it is and how far it's progressed or with further surgery (after a small/punch biopsy) which is always carried out by a Plastic Surgeon, no matter where on the body the BCC is located. This is to ensure that it's all been removed, as a small/punch biopsy doesn't get rid of it all and it could grow back.

    They are very good at facial surgery and try to minimise any scarring in that area. The problem with BCC on the nose is that there is very little tissue below the skin so the skin doesn't stretch well enough to heal.

    My father has had 2 BCC on his face - one was on his forehead and it was removed by surgery 12 years ago. It healed beautifully and the treatment was successful. The second one was at the side of his eye & was treated with cream - it's healed really well. My sister-in-law had one removed surgically from her back 2 years ago & it's healed well. So please try not to worry too much at what it will look like. At the end of the day it's easily & successfully treated.

    Good luck,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

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