Q
: 1
06/24/2009 |
I have a squamous cell carcinoma on my leg. It was first frozen off, at my request, but it did not clear up. A recent biopsy showed that the squamous cell carcinoma was still present. I'm going to a plastic surgeon to have it cut out and a skin graft. What do I need to in this stage?
Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the 3 major types of skin cancer. It does not spread outside of the local region that often, but there are multiple tumor characteristics that can increase the risk of recurrence and spread (size, type and depth). If you have an excision and the margins are clear, I would recommend close follow-up, at least on a yearly basis, with a dermatologist. This way if you find any new lesions or have a recurrence, it can be detected and treated early.
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Q
: 2
05/29/2009 |
In late 2007 -2008, I noticed a light black vertical line down the left side of my thumb nail. I figured it was just a bruise. After reading all of the information online about melanoma, I'm scared. From what I've read, the only way for a dermatologist to know it's Melanoma is to do a nail biopsy of the matrix. Several articles state that after this procedure is done, that the nail will never grow back and if it does, it's ruined because the of the damage done to the matrix. Is this true? Any new procedures for this?
To diagnosis this as melanoma, a biopsy of the nail matrix would need to be completed. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how that would affect further growth of the nail. I would, however, recommend that you see a dermatologist to have this evaluated. If this is a melanoma, early diagnosis is key and often leads to a cure of the disease.
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Q
: 3
03/30/2009 |
I have been diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma on my right calf. I also suffer from a cardiovascular disease that causes a fluid buildup in my legs. What type of skin cancer treatment would be the least invasive to my leg and still be effective in treating the cancer? I am very concerned that any procedure that opens up the skin will result in fluid leakage that would hinder the healing of the surgical site.
I would still recommend the surgical excision. You may have an increased risk of wound breakdown, however, measures can be taken postoperatively to potentially decrease your risk of wound complications.
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Q
: 4
02/18/2009 |
This Web site says that if you notice any changes in old moles or the appearance of new ones, then you should have them evaluated promptly by a physician. What defines prompt? My boyfriend noticed a lesion 4 months ago that fits the 'ABC's' of melanoma. He's made an appointment with a dermatologist but the appointment is a month away. Should he try to be seen sooner?
There is no standard amount of time from when a person notices changes in a skin lesion to when they should have it evaluated, but I would recommend seeing your physician within one month.
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Q
: 5
12/07/2008 |
I recently had some skin cancer removed. Is there a certain amount of time that I should wait before having a massage so the sites don't become aggravated?
I am unaware of any time frame that exists that would limit you from being able to get a massage after having skin cancer removed.
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Q
: 6
11/05/2008 |
I was diagnosed with basil cell carcinoma. My dermatologist removed it using a scalpel and then he cauterized the wound. I subsequently got a keloid in that spot. Is there a chance I could have a recurrence of the cancer under the keloid? Should I get a biopsy or a second opinion?
It is possible that the cancer could come back under the keloid. A good option may be to see a plastic surgeon and have the keloid removed.
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Q
: 7
10/27/2008 |
My wife has a family history of melanoma and she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on her face 4 weeks ago. She has had the spot for about two years, but recently it has been undergoing daily changes (losing edges, spreading). The soonest we could schedule Mohs Surgery is one week from now, is that too long to wait?
I believe that waiting another week will not make a significant difference in the progression of your wife's caricinoma.
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Q
: 8
09/17/2008 |
I had surgery to remove a metastatic melanoma brain tumor, followed by one massive radiation treatment. One of my doctors has recommended Temodar for further treatment. I am having difficulty facing that treatment and am wondering if this medication would even be helpful. I will be having CT scans and brain MRIs every three months. Is this something I should do or was the surgery sufficient treatment?
Although I am not a medical oncologist, I do think that the recommendation for the postoperative chemotherapy is reasonable. Even though the brain metastasis has been treated, it is likely that you still have microscopic parts of the disease remaining that may respond to the chemotherapy. I also agree that you need close imaging follow-up.
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Q
: 9
07/14/2008 |
Why is Levadopa contraindicated in people with melanoma?
There appears to be an increased incidence of melanoma in patients with Parkinson's disease, but it is unlikely that this is related to the use of Levodopa. It was originally thought that because Levodopa is a substrate of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin, that the use of Levodopa may induce the development of melanoma. I believe there is no clear evidence in the literature to support this.
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Q
: 10
07/14/2008 |
I am a 39-yo caucasian female who has recently had a bout with a malignant spreading melanoma, Clark's level IV and a little under 1mm depth. My doctor removed a large portion of my abdomen but didn't do any other test. The pathology report showed margins were all clear. Should I go for another opinion? My skin cancer doctor suggested a chest x-ray and liver enzyme test which were normal. I just don't won't to overlook anything at this point.
It sounds like you had a thin melanoma. With a Clark's level of IV, I would also consider evaluation of the lymph nodes with sentinel lymph node biopsy for staging. I would have your doctor refer you to a surgical oncologist who would be able to further evaluate the characteristics of your primary tumor and decide whether this additional intervention should be performed. I also agree with the chest x-ray. Please make sure an LDH level was obtained with the liver enzyme panel. If not, this should also be sent.
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Q
: 11
07/03/2008 |
I am 35 years old and have been diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer. It is located on my face and has been there for a couple of years. I have been to a dermatologist who did the biopsy, and she has recommended that I go to a plastic surgeon to have it removed. The earliest I can get in is in 3 months. I am a bit concerned that in the meantime the skin cancer will advance to internal organs. Where exactly does squamous cell skin cancer normally advance to, and should I be worried?
Squamous cell cancers do not tend to spread to other areas of the body unless they are very large, neglected lesions or very aggressive. It sounds like this lesion has been there for awhile. If this was going to spread, it would generally go to the lymph nodes in the neck first. I think 3 months is a little long to wait, now that you have a diagnosis. I would try and find someone who can do the surgery in the next month.
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Q
: 12
03/15/2008 |
I have Basal cell carcinoma cancer on my nose that keeps bleeding. What is the best why of getting rid of the cancer? How long would it take to heal if I have surgery? I am getting marred in less than 6 months.
There are multiple ways to treat basal cell carcinoma and this depends on the size of the lesion and the location. In most cases an excision with margins is adequate. Given that this is in a cosmetically sensitive area, you could consider having a dermatologist who specializes in Moh's surgery or a plastic surgery evaluate you for removal.
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Q
: 13
02/12/2008 |
My husband had a mole removed from his right side below his breast. It came back as melanoma 4.4 mm. He needs more surgery as it is a stage II. How guickly does melanoma spread, and what do chemo or radiation do?
The standard treatment for a melanoma of this thickness would generally be a wide excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. However, this does depend on the patient's physical exam and whether there is any evidence of lymph node involvement. The course of melanoma is very variable from patient to patient and depends on whether there is lymph node involvement or metastatic disease. Chemotherapy and radiation are generally used for stage IV disease or specific lymph node involvement. He will likely need more surgery, so I would get him in to see a surgeon as soon as possible.
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