Anyone ever had cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma? What should I expect?

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Skin Cancer

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I’m against it.

Wait. Your doctor is cutting cancer off your face and hasn’t told you what to expect?

Do what your derm says, and get regular skin checks from here on out.

Just be careful with your face. Some dermatologists will bring you back for more surgery and you end up with a hole in your face. Ask the right questions before they cut more.

I had basal cell carcinoma on the side of my nose. Moh's surgery was required, followed immediately by plastic surgery to ensure that my nose wasn't warped by the forces of healing flesh. I still have a scar. I don't love it. But my face isn't deformed or cancer ridden. I would speak with your doctor about treatment and what to expect.

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Anyone ever had cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma? What should I expect?

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My dad had it. They did a Mohs surgery on him and that was it. It took most of a morning to complete the surgery and eliminate all the cancerous cells. The Mohs procedure takes a layer of tissue that gets immediately mapped and reviewed for pathology while the patient remains prepped for surgery. If they find cancer cells in the layer, the mapping lets the team know where on the patient the cancer cells remain. They keep taking layers until pathology comes back clear, so it ensures they get it all and spare as much tissue as possible, but it's time consuming to do all that. Dad's was on his forehead and he said the worst part was just sitting there under the surgical drape for all that time.

It does leave a scar, but it's better than cancer. After that, he's had nothing more needed other than a regular check-in with the dermatologist to catch anything that might come back.

When cutting it out, they typically make sure that the "margins" are clear.

In other words, they cut until they get to the non-cancerous area. This is determined by looked at the removed material under a microscope.

If caught early, removal in office us usually curative. Be sure to use appropriate sun protection and sunscreen from here on out. SCC and other skin cancers are usually due to cumulative sun exposure over your lifetime.

Keep an eye on other moles/freckles you may have for any changes (especially entirely new ones). Let your doctor know if you notice changes or new moles.

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So what happens if you don’t cut it off? Seriously want to know.

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Depends. Usually it will continue to grow and could possibly become disgustingly large and necrotic. Then theres the chance of metastasis which of course can lead to death.

Basal cell carcinomas usually just grow locally (which can cause it’s own set of problems) but rarely metastasizes. Squamous cell carcinoma and obviously melanoma most certainly can metastasize.

Just last month i had a little mold, wart type thing removed from the side of my face even with about the middle of my ear sideburn area.
Came back squamous cell carcinoma.
Dr. did what he called MOHS procedure. An in-house procedure where he removes a little more tissues checks the border for cancer cells. Usually need just one sample.
Waited while they check the tissue sample, came back good, stitched me up .
Start to finish maybe 1 1/2 hrs. One hour was waited while they tested the tissue sample.
Actually have a follow up this coming week .