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Beginner January 2008

skin cancer - slow growing and not melanoma ... scared to google!

ebee, 17 February, 2009 at 11:50 Posted on Off Topic Posts 0 9

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I have a lump on my eyebrow which had been dismissed as a cyst, but I went back to the GP as I felt it had grown.. this time the doctor was a dermatology specialist and she thinks it might be skin cancer, but a slow growing type.. she didn't seem overly concerned and said it wasn't anything like melanoma and not life or death. I now have a referall to get it cut out. does anyone have any experience of this? I'm trying not to worry but as soon as I heard the C word I just went a bit wobbly and forgot to ask anything else ?

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9 replies

Latest activity by ebee, 17 February, 2009 at 13:31

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Iris · 17 February, 2009 at 11:56
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Is it a BCC (basal cell carcinoma)? My dad had one removed from his face about 15 years ago. He had to have a bit of radiotherapy, mainly due to the location of the lump. He's had no ill effects or reoccourance.

Hope it's all straightforward and that they can whip it out easily.
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Beginner July 2003
Fimble · 17 February, 2009 at 11:56
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? What a nasty shock. I have googled for you and found something quite helpful and non scary, would you like me to post it here?
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*ginni of the lamp* · 17 February, 2009 at 12:00
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If its not a melanoma, it's highly likely to be basal cell carcinoma, very treatable, or much more rarely squamous cell carcinoma (I think that's the name), also treatable.
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Beginner July 2008
R-A · 17 February, 2009 at 12:04
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Sounds like it's a BCC (basal cell carcinoma) - really common and not at all dangerous.

Although technically it is a 'cancer' due to the way it grows, it can never spread to other places - just grows on the skin.
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Beginner January 2008
ebee · 17 February, 2009 at 12:04
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? thanks .. yes basal cc sounds right I think... fimble yes please if you don't mind. I had the two kids with me too so didn't want to too much detail with the GP. she said the excision could be weeks or even months away, so I guess she can't think it's that big a deal ?
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Beginner January 2008
ebee · 17 February, 2009 at 12:06
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? thanks for all your replies, R-A that's reassuring thankyou ..
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Beginner July 2003
Fimble · 17 February, 2009 at 12:08
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From cancer bacup site:

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma, or BCC, is a cancer of the cells at the bottom of the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. It accounts for more than three-quarters (75%) of all skin cancers in the UK.

Most basal cell carcinomas are slow-growing and almost never spread. However, if they are left untreated they can damage the skin and cause an ulcer, known as a rodent ulcer. A small number of rodent ulcers may come back on the same area of skin after treatment: this is known as a local recurrence.

From their Q&As (nb I know you aren't 75 ebee!!):

I have a small spot on my cheek which I have been told is a rodent ulcer. I have been offered treatment but I am 75 and the spot has been there for some time and has not altered, so I'm not sure its necessary. What should I do?

A rodent ulcer is a form of skin cancer (the technical name for it is a basal cell carcinoma of the skin, or BCC). They are very common and usually occur on the face. They can usually be cured by simple treatments such as very minor surgery or a short course of radiotherapy (both of which can be done on as an out-patient).

If left untreated or neglected they tend to grow in width and depth and so damage the normal tissues surrounding them. They are generally very slow growing tumours but the rate of growth may increase the longer they are left untreated. Whilst it is very unlikely that a BCC will spread to other areas of the body (if they are left untreated for years, they can invade and destroy the tissues deeper below the skin. For this reason BCC's should always be taken seriously and, as the smaller the cancer the easier the treatment, you would be best to have treatment now rather than later.

Hope this is reassuring & that the treatment goes smoothly ?
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Beginner January 2008
ebee · 17 February, 2009 at 13:29
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? thanks for that fimble .. I'm feeling much calmer now, i'm just glad I went back to the GP so I can get it dealt with ?
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