Hi. I don't normally post things but I'm slightly unsure of my upcoming biopsy. A year ago I had a punch biopsy on my scalp. The results came back as clear. Problem was that my wound became infected and took a bit longer to heal. Now a year on and the site still scars over and bleeds.
I recently had an appointment to discuss a more recent biopsy (I've had 12 in a 18 months with mostly bcc results) and mentioned my scalp to the specialist. Upon looking at it he thought it best to do another punch biopsy and close the wound again.
My question is, why would they take another biopsy if the results were clear a year ago? *sorry for long post*
Hi and a very warm welcome to the skin cancer group
I'm sorry to hear how many biopsies you've had over the last 18 months and that you're now waiting for the results of one that has been done in the same place as a previous one.
I'm not medically trained so can only presume that your specialist has decided to err on the side of caution, as one of the signs of a BCC is a scab that bleeds and never completely heals. This leaflet about BCCs from the British Association of Dermatologists gives lots of useful information. Also, could this area that you've had another biopsy done on just be very close to the original one and not in exactly the same place?
Let us know how you get on
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi
I hope you're well and I was just getting in touch to find out how you got on with the biopsy you had recently on your scalp.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Thank you so much! Very kind. Unfortunately, they were not able to get it all. I am now on Efudex for my forehead and chest while I wait for my MOHS surgery date. They believe this will be the best route to get it all. It will also involve needing a skin graft and lack of hair. 
When all comes back clean 
and I heal, they will be looking to do a flap? surgery on my scalp.
To be honest I am so worn out from stress, biopsies and treatment. Staying upbeat, the best I can, because at least I don't have lymphoma again.
Thank you so much for reaching out to me. It's been a lonely process, to say the least. Which sort did/do you have?
X
Hey
Sorry to hear that you have more surgery to go through before your BCCs are finally eradicated. The good thing about Mohs surgery, as you probably already know, is that they know on the day if they have got it all so you don't need to wait for the results back from the pathology labs and possibly more surgery if they don't achieve clear margins.
Even though BCCs are very slow growing and rarely spread I do understand how stressful going for biopsies and treatment can be. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma nearly 3 years ago and initially I never thought there'd come a day when it wasn't the first thing I thought of when I woke up and the last thing I thought about when I went to sleep. However, over time you do reach a new 'normal' when it's not constantly on your mind and I think you will too.
Unfortunately, having skin cancer can be lonely as people tend to think that it's not as dangerous as other cancers. Whilst that's largely true for non-melanoma skin cancers, there are still life-style changes to be made to protect ourselves from further skin cancers along with the emotional roller coaster of waiting for results and going for treatment.
Don't forget that you can come on this forum at any time to chat or have a moan!
Let me know when you have a date for your Mohs.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
