Cancer a head and neck cancer recur as a scab or "skin-lesion" type effect.

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Hello to whoever may listen

My mother had carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma and it was diagnosed perhaps 2 and a half years ago.

She had a total neck resection followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy which went really went and she bounced back.

Now as her son I have the joy of gently prodding her neck to see if there's anything that might be of concern (while not worrying her too much).

Just earlier today she showed me a scab on her ear maybe half a centimetre across or so which was dark and looked like a normal scab. Now i've always been looking for lumps. But should a scab also concern me? Is it likely that local recurrence can take that form (a scab)? 

Torn between waiting a week/ 2 to see if it clears or contacting her team to ask. But I don't want to worry her and i she won't want to pester her team unduly.

Cheers,

David. 

  • Hi David. I saw my oncologist twice out of routine sequence. I was told repeatedly that it was no bother and that they would rather see me to reassure me that everything was ok than let me carry the burden of anxiety. So call her CNS. It’s likely nothing bearing in mind that radiotherapy can have nasty long term effects on the skin as well as other places. Is she using factor 50 sun cream on the exposed areas by the way. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi David As Dani says does she use factorn59;sun cream daily in face ears and neck I have dine for last  6 years. I was also told any issues they would sooner see me early rather than later. Contact her cancer nurse  am sure they will arrange to see her. 

    Hazel 

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

  • Good evening David, It's lovely to hear that your mum has recovered ok from the operation and treatment, its always best to get anything like this checked out just for peace of mind, it does not sound like anything sinister and her team will be only too pleased to check your mum out. Well done for keeping a check on your mum, i still do it despite having my last cancer in 2010. All the best to you and your mum, take care.

                                                                                                Chris. 

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • Thanks for replies.

    She doesn't use any type of suncream on the area or moisturiser which may be a factor. She hates touching the area herself or applying anything to it. However she does always wear a wide floppy hat if it is sunny. 

    I think I'll watch for a few days maybe upto a week and if the scab looks unchanged ill push for contacting someone on her team about it. 

    David

  • She doesn't use any type of suncream on the area or moisturiser which may be a factor

    See if you can get her to change her mind. It’s quite important. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • Hi please try to get her to change her mind I use fa for 50 daily it’s now part of my daily routine. A floppy hats ok but the rays can still get her face and neck. Will she look at our blogs I spend time in soain but it’s still fsctor 50 every day. There or here. 

    Hazel x

    Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz 

    My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com  HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now  6 years  post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

    2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers 

    https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/