Hello,
Firstly, thank you for any help offered
yesterday I finally got results back on a finger issue I have had for the last 4 months, which confirmed after a biopsy I have Squamous Cell Carcinoma of my index finger
some background.
I suffer from a rare autoimmune condition for which I have taken immunosuppressants for almost 20 years (azathioprine & prednisone)
4 months or so ago I scraped my finger on a wall and I thought nothing more of it. It didn't heal but I assumed due to my immunosuppression it was just delayed. It started to change into what I thought was a wart so I treated it with some OTC remedy. Again it didn't heal. I got antibiotics off my GP and came to Wales to visit my folks for Christmas (I'm based in London usually) after it still not healing I saw my parents GP and got more antiobiotics and was told due to my penicillin allergy if these didn't clear it I'd need IV antibiotics . I ended up trying IV antibiotics in hospital over new year and that's when cancer was first suspected after an MRI scan. Initially it was suspected to be a sarcoma but on inspection of the MRI the Swansea MDT ruled that out but wanted a biopsy done. The orthopaedic surgeon on the day of the biopsy was sure it was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) - this was the first mention of the SCC I'd heard, previous orthopaedic surgeons hadn't mentioned this. CT scans and follow up MRIs to determine if the 'sarcoma' had spread had found a blood clot in my IVC and a shadow on my lung but this all turned out to be not related and not any metastasised cancer.
however now I've had the biopsy back. It's apparently confirmed the SCC and I'm only being given amputation of my index finger as an option. Having googled various information on this it appears MOHs surgery is the gold standard of treatment for SCC and I'm wondering why this hadn't been even discussed with me. Obviously the docs know better than I do so it might be the case that the cancer is spreading past the point MOHs would be an option but due to a combination of my previous difficult history, my not being told it was likely to be an SCC until the day of the biopsy (and SCC being the most common type of skin cancer, I'm a little unsure why this wasn't suggested as a possibility until two weeks ago) and the fact I'm away from my usual specialists and London hospitals so I'm bouncing around various Welsh hospitals I'm wondering if amputation is the go to down here whereas it may not be in London etc.
I'm now trying to speak to the orthopaedic consultant i saw yesterday but his secretary hasn't got back to me yet. She was due to send me my biopsy report digitally so I could read it (I got the sense the surgeon wanted me to see it in black and white so I'd realise amputation was the safest, sensible option) but due to the trusts security settings they can't apparently send it digitally so she's now stuck a copy in the post.
Really I'm just reeling a little from the news of amputation more even than the thought of cancer. My autoimmune thing has taken lots from me and while that has been well managed and moving to a better traent regime recently has meant things were greatly looking up this had knocked me for six. So I'm looking at every and all aspects of treatment before I'm willing to contemplate amputation. I'm due to go back and see the orthopaedic consultant next Tuesday for a decision. I've not actually spoken to anyone 'cancer related' as yet.
thanks for any help,
cheers
NB: the surgeons told me some aspects of my finger were (and I forget the correct terms used) 'viable' for excision whereas others wouldn't be.
Hi Pingu and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is an informative and supportive place.
I'm afraid I don't have a comparable experience to you as my BCC was on my chest and removed by simple surgery. However, I can fully understand you wanting to explore all avenues before agreeing to having your finger amputated.
I did a search in the group to see if anyone else has mentioned having a finger amputated but unfortunately drew a blank.
As you say you need to have all the facts before you before making your decision and I think if I was in your position I'd want to have another word with the person who recommended this course of treatment so that I fully understood why they felt this was the best/only option.
Do come back and let us know how you get on and, in the meantime, it would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Pingu
I'm sorry but as a layman too I don't know what the phrase "poorly differentiated" means either. You could ask about this in the ask a nurse section of the online community and one of the specialist nurses will respond within 3 working days. Whilst they don't have access to your NHS records they can explain terminology, etc.
I would recommend that you stay way from Google and wait until you get the opportunity to speak to a member of your team on Tuesday. We've all strayed down the Google path but, unfortunately, we usually come away more confused or worried than ever.
Let me know how you get on on Tuesday.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Pingu
That must be very disappointing that amputation is the only option but hopefully they were able to explain why.
You don't normally see an oncologist unless you're being given adjuvant treatment and that doesn't usually happen with BCC.
When I was diagnosed with melanoma I only saw a dermatologist and then the plastic surgeon that did my wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. This was exactly the same when I had my BCC removed, ie a dermatologist referred me to a plastic surgeon who removed it.
Do you have a date for the surgery yet?
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
These things always seem to happen at a weekend when you don't have the chance to speak to anyone immediately Pingu 
I hope you're recovering well from yesterday's procedure and you can try and distract yourself doing something you enjoy until you can get on the phone on Monday to find out more about your appointment.
Let me know how you get on
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
