Infiltrative Basal Cell

Hi Fred. I had my bcc removed from my nose 20th November and graft taken from my ear op went well and yes I was scared but everyone was absolutely amazing and put me at ease. Op took a short while and went fine.my after care has been great as I got wounds dressed twice a week and I'll see the specialist on 16th Dec for results and hoping to be able to go back to work on 19th try and keep positive it's not easy I know because my mind has been all over the place but there's a lot of good advice on this site I only found it myself a short while ago and feel better about myself now fingers crossed for you take care xx

Hi Crystlenight

Hi, My spouse had morphiec basal cell carcinoma on the nose removed by MOHs about 3 years ago, with a skin graft harvesting skin from the cheek by the ear.  It was scary going in, but it turned out well, with the graft becoming unnoticeable with not too much time.  My spouse has high risk factors, since they were young, it wasn’t the first basal cell cancer removed (it was just the first one needing MOHs because of the position on the nose), had bad sunburning on the face when youger, and they have a family history of multiple skin cancers.  The doctor said my spouse should expect to keep getting these throughout their life.  We were diligent with check-ups, but they had now petered out to once-a-year unless we saw something worrying.  We had gone in a couple times to check things out that turned out not to be skin cancer, and were just getting lulled into “we’ll watch this, and if it doesn’t go away or gets worse, we’ll go in.”  Should have made it a priority to check immediately.  This time, it was infiltrative basal cell carcinoma on the nose, and it grew quickly.  Getting MOHs surgery 3 days after the biopsy result.  Don’t be scared; do be diligent & prompt with check ups.

Hi Sunny. I have MOHs schedule for removal of infiltrative BCC on side of my nose. The wait is giving me great anxiety as I have researched that this is more of a rare subtype and harder to remove. Did you catch yours early? Have you had anymore since?

Fred4, how did your surgery go? Awaiting MOHS surgery for infil. on side of my nose and very anxious!

I can understand your anxiousness. The fear and anticipation was one of the worst parts for me.  

I knew I would be extremely anxious about the first day's procedure as I would not be under any anaesthetic so I asked the doctor for a script for Valium (Diazapan). This was my very helpful for me and I took 2.5 mg 2 hours before the procedure on day 1 and then another 2.5 mg after 4 hours. This chilled me enough to be able to cope with the needles and the procedure. I also took music and earphones for the procedure to take my mind off what was happening.

I had MOHS and had to go back 4 times in the one day to have it all removed. Each time was about 10-15 mins and then about 30 - 40 mins wait as they did the histology report.  Some people only have to have 1 or 2 attempts at removal. Mine however was deeper and wider hence the 4 attempts.  After this I was bandaged and sent home for the night. No pain at all. Just be careful- no bending over and take it very easy.

The second day was the reconstruction where I had the cartilage from behind my ear and the skin from the front side of my ear removed and this was used to reconstruct my nose with a skin graft.

Once again very important not to bend or touch your nose. Be very careful and don't do anything that will lead to the skin graft being compromised and not taking.

After a week I had the dressings removed and my nose was a greyish colour. After another week I had the stitches taken out even though they were dissolving ones. Every thing had healed and the doctor decided they could come out.  By this stage my nose graft area was a very bruised purple colour. I continued to cover and tape it with micro pore tape and placed antibiotic cream on each dressing daily.

Over time the dark colour lightened and the skin started to return to its regular colour but I developed a very dark, blackish colour around the tip of my nose.  The surgeon said to keep applying the Cetafil moisturiser and I continued to wash it and cover it each day. Over the next 8 weeks the dark part became smaller and smaller and one morning the small dark tip came off and my nose had healed under it and was back to its regular shape. The colour of the tip now is still slightly pinkish.  I have been told this could take 2 years to maybe return to it's regular colour.  I can still see the incision line and some small stitch marks.  

Taping the area, using silicon gel, silicon patches and massage with special oil have all helped with the repair.

I am now about 4 months post op and all is good with my nose. I still have the same shape but the colour in part of the nose tip is slightly pinkish purple and the small line where the incision was made is slightly visible.  Feeling has returned to part of my nose where I had the graft.

Most people who don't know I have had this surgery don't even notice the graft, if I wear makeup or flesh coloured sun cream.  

Considering the amount of skin I had removed I am very pleased with the result and hopefully over time this will improve even more.

I hope your procedure goes well and remember to take care and don't do too much during the first 2 weeks as the area heals. No alcohol, no smoking and good healthy food and rest for at least 2-3 weeks.

Hi i ignored mine for a year or so because I thought it was a spot which would bleed and then scab and heal.  I eventually went to get it looked at and was shocked that it was a bcc.  I understand how anxious you will feel but try and not worry.  I had mine removed in July 2015 and I felt quite sorry for myself afterwards but the scar has faded and although I can see it, other people don't notice it.  I was discharged from follow up in 2015 and I have had no other bccs since.

Take care

Fred4, I want to think you so much for your detailed response. I've made a mistake with delving deep into researching online, which as you know, can give you the worst case scenarios. The headphones and script for valium are great ideas, as I'm a naturally anxious person anyways. I have 2 young children too, so I think I will make sure childcare is covered so I won't have to bend over or risk my nose being touched. I also work part time so I better give them a warning in case the surgery is more extensive and I need more recovery time. Your outcome thus far has put me at ease a bit and I truly appreciate you taking the time to respond!

Thanks for the response! I was quite surprised with my diagnosis too although I do have many of the qualities of someone at high risk (light skin, freckles, sunburns, etc...) I'm also just as worried about finding more. My body is covered in freckles/ moles so it's very difficult to do a skin check and not question a spot! I'm glad to hear your outcome has been good and you haven't had any more since! Thanks again!

Hi Fred, 

Thank you so much for this detailed account of your surgery. I really appreciate it. I heard today that I have infiltrative BCC on a large-ish area on the tip of my nose. I've been referred for urgent Mohs surgery and skin flap (still takes 8-10 weeks). I'm so glad your surgery has worked out well, and I will ask for some Diazepam prior to the event. That is such a good suggestion. I have to say - having now read a bit about this type of BCC, I feel far less confident that it'll be straight forward than I did previously (when I had just been told BCC). 

Anyway - wishing you the very best, and many thanks again. 

Jeannet  :-)