Waiting for extra margin clearance excision - micronodular bcc's on nose ala

Former Member
Former Member
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Hi, I'm new and from Australia.  I've been plagued by the nasty bcc sub types on my face;  To date, 5 infiltratives and 2 nodulars.

I recently had a skin and cartilage graft on my nose ala after removal of 2 close together nasties.    The biopsies showed only a minimal clear margin was reached from the top micronodular one and further excision is required after the grafts have settled and healed.  This is 4 months ago, and the Hospital has not yet called me back for the secondary excision.  

I went to a private Plastic Surgeon for a consult and she explained if the extra excision is not done in a timely fashion (like now or next month) then it will be for nothing!  I was too stunned to ask why, but I'm assuming that this means recurrence of that particular bcc will be inevitable (?).  The PS is a good lady and she is going to press for a reason why my second necessary excision is taking so long for me.  (I'm in the public hospital system as private health cover is out of my financial reach).

Can anyone offer some insight?  Could waiting too long for the secondary excision to reach a clearer margin, means that recurrence is the probable danger (given my history)?

  • Hi LuluSM,

    Thanks for getting in touch.

    It’s understandable to want to know what the plastic surgeon meant, and to have questions about the possible impact of waiting on further surgery.

    I’m not sure from your post if you are having treatment in Australia.

    Unfortunately, as nurses on the Macmillan Support Line we are not able to advise on healthcare systems overseas.

    If you are in Australia, we’d recommend that you get in touch with a clinical member of your treatment team and discuss the waiting time with them.

    It might be helpful to get in touch with an Australian based charity. You can find a list here.

    If you are having treatment in the UK, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

    Sending best wishes,

    Carole

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    Ref/ AM