Radiotherapy side effects to nose

Just read that it is called radiotherapy scarring and that it can get worse over the months and years. I thought that it might colour up when I had been out in the fresh air of the spring and summer but it is looking unlikely.

Wasn't told or didn't read about this when I was choosing a method of treatment decision.

If anyone has experienced this paler skin where treated it would be good to hear from you.

Regards

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, yes I had radiotherapy to my nose last summer and the area has become much paler now and seems to be increasing. Not too worried as there is no sign of recurrence or scarring and I have the choice of make-up too. Pleased I had this rather than the surgery option. Happy Easter!

Thanks for the reply seesaw. Looks like I will have to pinch some of my wife's make up then!!

Hello Jonathan.

This is my first post on this or any other site!  On Monday 9th this week I received the results of the punch biopsy I had about a month ago and was told (to my horror and shock) that I have an infiltrative BCC on the tip of my nose.  I have to be honest and say that though it had seemed to be a BCC I was hoping, and had convinced myself, that the plastic surgeon was going to say it was a benign skin lesion and no further treatment.  The biopsy site is small and has healed well and I was imagining that would be all thank you very much.

Have now been referred to the Royal Marsden for radiotherapy.  The plastic surgeon told me that he thought radiotherapy and not MOHS would be the best option for me and would give the best cosmetic result because a lot of my nose would have to be excavated to rid it of the infiltrative nature of the BCC and I would need a flap grafted on from my neck or behind my ear.  He said that the look and shape of the nose would change and it would be lumpy and not the same.

To be honest the very idea of surgery and talk of flaps is horrifying to me and I have been very interested in your posts and your journey through this whole thing.  Could I ask you to sum up for me (because I can't seem to find your post about the radiotherapy), the whole experience:  the wait from diagnosis, the initial appointment, the mask, the experience of radiotherapy and the follow up.  You are now a good few months after your radiotherapy and are therefore, a veteran of the whole thing!  By the way, I have been told that the site of the radiotherapy will be white and that there will be a pale patch.  As with a previous poster, I feel I will be able to cover it up with make-up.  Good luck with your wife's make-up bag too!  Thank you Jonathan.

Hi

I have sent you a friend request. I can then send you my telephone number. I would be happy to speak to you and it would be more beneficial than messaging. 

Looking forward to easing your fears.

Jonathan

Thank you very much Jonathan - I've answered the friend request.

Looking forward to hearing about your experience of the whole thing.

Clare

Hello ClareC,  sorry to hear about your nose BCC. I had the same thing last year, was offered Mohs surgery with long wait or radiotherapy. Opted for the latter and it was fine and has healed well. Just abit paler than my cheeks. Was red and sore for a while, like Jonathans. Any questions please ask. Hope all goes well  Liz

Hello Liz - thank you for your message.  Really good to hear that the radiotherapy was the right decision for you and that it's healed well.  I think that really it's the fear of the unknown as well as the whole idea of what it is.

Thank you so much - what a great place Macmillan is!

Best wishes,

Clare C

You are most welcome and as I say feel free to ask anything you want to. You are right about the unknown,but staff are usually brilliant at explaining everything. I also think it is the location of the BCC on the nose, just so obvious!

I did also have melanoma on the back of my arm. Treated as a priority and still having scans but no-one really sees the scar much and I forget about it pretty much.

Take care, Liz

Thanks everyone for all this useful info

I am due to see my radiologist next week for my nodular BCC,

sophia