SCC nasal septum

Hi PeatyMcBog and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I don't have the experience you're looking for but noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. I'm sure there will have been other people here who have had a similar procedure and hopefully they'll pop on soon.

Wishing you all the best 

Hi latchbrook thank you for your welcome to the community and good wishes.

Wishing you all the best also.

I was just wondering if you might also benefit from joining the head and neck cancer forum as I think from what you've said that the cancer is on the inside of your nose rather than the outside. You may find more people in that forum who have had the experience you're looking for.

If you want to join that forum too, clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there.

Thank you latchbrook, I will try that 

Hey, 

How are you getting on? 

I've just been diagnosed with SCC on my septum and am awaiting a decision on surgery v radiation etc. 
I wondered how your journey is shaping up. 

Thanks 

Hi sccseptum,

I’m very sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

I wasn’t offered the option of surgery or radiotherapy; the recommendation was surgery with possible radiotherapy follow up. My tumour was measured as 2cm by 2.5cm so I don’t know if this had any bearing on choice of treatment.   

I underwent surgery in the middle of May to remove my nasal septum, access being via the side of my nose, I managed to keep my nose which was one of my worries pre-surgery. The tumour was removed successfully so radiotherapy was not required. The cancer was reported as low grade.

My consultant had expressed a concern regarding nasal collapse and as a result I underwent further surgery at the end of June to correct the collapse. This involved the addition of rib cartilage (not mine) to strengthen the structure, access being gained between my nostrils. This has improved both the look and strength of my nose. I’m still recovering and due to meet with my consultant next week to review progress.

To be honest I’ve been managing the whole process in bite size pieces and not trying to dwell on any longer-term concerns, i.e. number 1, tumour removal, 2, nasal correction, 3, reoccurrence either in the same place or elsewhere. I underwent MRI and CT scans ahead of my surgery with no distant disease identified which was positive. This being said, consultants have voiced caution going forward with periodic checks likely, again I intend discussing this next week.

I hope this has helped but if not feel free to ask any further questions.

Thank you for coming back so quickly. 

I'm glad your journey has been relatively smooth (given the circumstances). 

I haven't been given an option yet - just referred to MDT to recommend. 
Mine is also a large area, but the CT shows some moth eaten condition of the nasal bone. They seem unsure yet as to whether this is erosion or something more sinister. 

Thank you for including the details on access - that's helpful to know. I too am panicking about losing the nose/substantial tissue. 

The monitoring sounds sensible, I hope your recovery continues well. 

I thought I would provide a follow-up of the initial stages of my diagnosis, for what it’s worth, as you appear to be at the early stages of your diagnosis.

I’d had a sore in my nose for about 18 months before seeking medical advice, typical bloke eh! Tried all sorts of home cures to no avail. GPs originally prescribed Naseptin, which gave no improvement. I was then referred to plastics but they referred to ENT.

The team at ENT didn’t think it was cancer and provided a further treatment of Bactoban but again this had no effect so they decided to carryout a biopsy. I was called back to ENT a week later to be told it was cancer. I think I had guessed by then, but as you walk into the consultation room and you are met with the consultant, a nurse and a MacMillan nurse you know for definite then! A week later I met with the Plastics team to discuss the surgury. This all occurred from the end of November to mid-April.

And a bit of post op stuff in case you have to go down the same route.

Both ops have involved overnight hospital stays. Post first op I ended up with wadding stitched into my left nostril for a week, reduced feeling in my face nose and upper lip, skin was tight. Then blocked sinuses for about three weeks before I started to gently blow it out, some unpleasant odour and discharge. My consultant suggested nasal douching and I’ve used this periodically since (Amazon do a cheap kit (£12) which includes saline salts. Its great for cleaning sinuses but leaves the nose very dry, the consultant suggested using Vaseline in the nostril entrance, especially at night to moisturise, it does help.

It was all settling down, then I was called in for my second op, so it was almost back to square one but again I’m recovering. I have some feeling returning to my nose and face and the tightness is easing. Scarring is improving and is less visible, gently patting it helps it settle.

Nasal function is not the same with no septum, both blowing and cleaning, very disconcerting is when breathing out of my left nostril the jet of air blows across my lip which gives a feeling of my nose running, which its not, I guess I’ll get used to it. Dryness remains an issue.

My consultant warned that I may experience nose bleeds in cold weather, I’ve not to date but on a few of the colder days the tip of my nose has been freezing, I guess it’s the reduced blood flow due to having no septum.

On a more upbeat note, I have a new party trick! Shine a torch up my one nostril and it shines down the other one 

Anyway, I hope this is of some help, I didn’t know what to expect and hopefully you won’t have to undergo the same level of procedure as me. I count myself lucky having met other cancer sufferers who are in a much worse position than me. I have a great and supportive family around me, they have been brilliant. Try and keep upbeat.

Thank you once again.

All very helpful to know. 
Our diagnosis pathway seems similar, except that I was seeking help for recurrent nose bleeds and had been for many years but ENT just kept cauterising and giving naseptin until somebody thought to biopsy. 

thank you for the tips, and the information on numbness etc. I’d have found that quite scary if it caught me by surprise. 

I did have a c-section last year so am familiar with wound healing, but your face is…well, your face!

The party trick sounds great, and even more so sounds like you’re finding the light in dark times. Well done!