SCC Recurrence?

KRBigFish
KRBigFish Member Posts: 25
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I posted this on the Skin Cancer site, but have had no responses yet since the 10th, so thought I would try again here. Here is my post:

So I posted recently on HNC board about just having a tongue biopsy under the left side of my tongue on Monday. I had Mohs surgery on Feb. 28, 2012 to remove SCC from my right lower lip. The tongue biopsy was recommended by my dentist who found a white patch last week that should be looked at that I didn't even know about. I digress, though. It's been over a month and a half since my Mohs surgery, and all margins were clear after Stage 1 of the surgery, except it seems it is not healing. I had healed up just fine within 2-3 weeks and had nice shiny skin, but now every 2-3 days, it crusts over and peels, just like when I had my sore when I first went to the dermatologist to begin with and they biopsied it and said I had SCC. So is my SCC recurring in the same place? Or do I just need to wait longer for it to heal? I keep my lip moisturized with vaseline every day, but it still wants to crust over.

Thanks in advance if you have any insight or advice.

Kathryn

Comments

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #2
    Kathryn,
    I do not have any
    Kathryn,

    I do not have any ideas for you except to suggest you call your doctor and get his opinion. Crusting over doesn't sound good. Praying it is just the healing process.

    Debbie
  • KRBigFish
    KRBigFish Member Posts: 25
    #3
    jim and i said:

    Kathryn,
    I do not have any
    Kathryn,

    I do not have any ideas for you except to suggest you call your doctor and get his opinion. Crusting over doesn't sound good. Praying it is just the healing process.

    Debbie

    Thank you Debbie
    I was just wondering if anyone here knows how long it takes to heal from Mohs surgery on the lip. I know it's a bit outside of this forum, but not really since SCC can met into HNC. I do appreciate your response, though, I just need some connection, somewhere, somehow... :)

    Kathryn
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #4
    KRBigFish said:

    Thank you Debbie
    I was just wondering if anyone here knows how long it takes to heal from Mohs surgery on the lip. I know it's a bit outside of this forum, but not really since SCC can met into HNC. I do appreciate your response, though, I just need some connection, somewhere, somehow... :)

    Kathryn

    Just keep repeating our mantra here...
    It ain't cancer till someone tells you it's cancer. Sometimes things just heal slowly. Breathe. Believe!

    Deb
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #5
    Hard
    There are few doctors here on CSN, there are alot of questions that can be answered. However until a doctor looks at it and can see will anyone be able to determine along with biopsy if it cancer or recurring. I suggest you can and get into see him as quickly as possible. It is not worth the risk of waiting to see.

    john
  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #6
    Me
    I had a scc removed from my cheek a year before the big battle (not related). It did seem to heal and then open up again for months, not Mohs. Not even noticable any more. My big battle started with my upper lip in 2010. I would suggest contacting the doctor and having it checked for peace of mind
  • KRBigFish
    KRBigFish Member Posts: 25
    #7
    Peace of Mind
    Thank you my new friends. I will schedule an appointment on Monday. I've never been one to "panic" and make hasty decisions, but I think I am in a new mode now. Everything must be checked, no matter what. It's a new life for me now. I do appreciate your support!

    Kathryn
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    KRBigFish said:

    Peace of Mind
    Thank you my new friends. I will schedule an appointment on Monday. I've never been one to "panic" and make hasty decisions, but I think I am in a new mode now. Everything must be checked, no matter what. It's a new life for me now. I do appreciate your support!

    Kathryn

    Yes..part of the "new normal"..
    I'm like you, Kathryn....didn't get all excited about something new happening in my body...and for 60 some years, that seemed to be fine...every thing resolved itself... Dr.'s and I....well, we were strangers...I didn't even have a primary care taker when I started this adventure. I think tho, that with time...that a "common-sense" of urgency will replace actual panic...I know I will be permantently out of the "wait and see" mode for the rest of my life.

    I have also learned that living in "mystery" is hell... :)

    p
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #9
    KRBigFish said:

    Peace of Mind
    Thank you my new friends. I will schedule an appointment on Monday. I've never been one to "panic" and make hasty decisions, but I think I am in a new mode now. Everything must be checked, no matter what. It's a new life for me now. I do appreciate your support!

    Kathryn

    New
    Way to go Kathryn. Good choice you are taking. Get it checked out. Sue
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #10
    did you get stitched or
    is this area healing by primary intent? If no stitches, it can take at least six weeks to heal. This is a healing thing, not a cancer thing. If you had cancer to the margins, they would have known that. Have a nice weekend. Don't sweat this. If any questions you can get the surgeon to look at it next week, but it is going to be ok.


    Pat

    PS, Now if you'd had Larry or Curly surgery, instead of Mohs surgery, that would be a different thing:)
  • KRBigFish
    KRBigFish Member Posts: 25
    #11
    longtermsurvivor said:

    did you get stitched or
    is this area healing by primary intent? If no stitches, it can take at least six weeks to heal. This is a healing thing, not a cancer thing. If you had cancer to the margins, they would have known that. Have a nice weekend. Don't sweat this. If any questions you can get the surgeon to look at it next week, but it is going to be ok.


    Pat

    PS, Now if you'd had Larry or Curly surgery, instead of Mohs surgery, that would be a different thing:)

    Hi Pat
    No stitches... I'll just make a call to the surgeon's office tomorrow and see what they say. I have been enjoying my weekend, we got that yellow orb in the sky today for what it seems like the first time in a month! I slathered on some sunscreen and put on my wide-brimmed hat and read magazines on the deck. It was a pleasant break for me. :)

Discussion Boards