Diagnosis at first visit to dermatology

Hi and welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to hear that you need to have a BCC removed. There are lots of people in this group who have been diagnosed with BCC by a dermatologist. As it's the most common form of skin cancer your dermatologist will have seen lots of them before and sometimes the diagnosis is clear from their clinical appearance. 

Although all BCCs are usually slow growing and rarely spread to other parts of the body there are different types and the biopsy will identify which type you have. However, as far as I know, most BCCs are removed with simple surgery under a local anaesthetic. 

If you'd like more information on BCCs and their treatment then click on this link to the British Association of Dermatologist's patient information sheet on basal cell carcinoma.

Let us know when you have a date for the excision and do pop back if you have any questions as there are always people around with experiences to share.

x

Hi Citychick 60, just to let you know I also had my BCC on the nose diagnosed at a dermatology clinic.  I had a spot on my nose tip ( photos show it was there for 3 years) that I was prescribed antibiotic cream for, eventually I thought there was something wrong and went back to my gp where I was referred to a dermatology clinic. The dermatologist diagnosed a BCC after looking at it through a dermascope/magnifying glass.

i was very worried given the length of time it had been there, the BCC was excised using local anaesthetic 2 weeks later, apart from the needle in the nose which was uncomfortable but quick I felt no pain. I had a couple of stitches and the wound was left to heal. 4 weeks later it’s healed very well and I have just received reports that it’s all been removed. Try not to worry, ( I spent weeks worrying for as it’s now apparent no reason ) best wishes 

Thankyou for your swift reply . I have recieved a copy of the letter sent to my GP stating that moerphiec bcc is suspected. It took a while to find any information on this form of bcc . Hopefully I hear something soon the waiting is quite frustrating. 

Hi

I'm glad to hear that you now know what you're dealing with. As you said there's not a lot of information about moerphiec BCC on the internet but I have found this information from a reputable site for you.

I know that waiting for an appointment to have it removed is incredibly frustrating. Let us know when you have a date.

x

Hi there 

Well I'm not sure where to start after being diagnosed with skin cancer at dermatology appointment which you can see I questionedas I found it a shock..  I then recieved a copy of gps letter from the dermatologist confirming that I had extensive moerphic bcc and he had  referred me to a surgeon for mohs surgery.  After not hearing anything for a while I visited my gp last friday  who said that I should have heard something by now after reading what the dermatologist  had written she said she would contact them for me which she did as I then recieved a copy of my Gps letter from the dermatologist today weds  stating that the biopsy was non malignant and they would like to see me again in December and my appointment for surgery was cancelled.it also said that the gp had diagnosed the bcc which she hadn't as I wasnt referred by this particular gp.it was the dermatologist who signed the letter today and previous letter with diagnosis  and the referral. Although this is great news I am confused how could I be told I had extensive bcc and referred for surgery .then recieve a copy of letter sent to gp and an appointment for 2nd December to see a dermatologist . I feel relieved and angry that myself and family have worried now for over a month  . I know I should just be thankful and I am thankful but i am also very confused.

Hi 

It's a shame that neither the original GP or the dermatologist you saw explained to you that a BCC (basal cell carcinoma) is usually very slow growing, rarely spreads to other parts of the body, eg lungs, liver, etc and, therefore, is hardly ever a threat to life..

However, they do need removing as, if left, they will continue to grow and could eventually form an ulcer, hence the old fashioned name for them as a 'rodent ulcer'.

Having looked back at you previous posts, along with this one, I think that your lesion was originally spotted by a GP who referred you to dermatology. There you saw a consultant who did a biopsy.

A couple of weeks later you received a letter telling you that you had a moerphiec BCC and that you would be having Mohs surgery to remove it. Having not heard from the hospital with an appointment date you went to see your GP who chased it up on your behalf.

You have now received a letter but instead of it being the expected surgery date you have been told that your surgery has been cancelled but that they want to see you again in December. Does the letter say what they want to see you for?

I think that if I was in your position I'd want to know why they no longer feel that surgery is necessary. It could be that your biopsy has been looked at again and they can see that the BCC was completely removed and no further surgery is necessary but I think you need to check this.

Probably your best route to getting an answer would be to speak to the secretary of the consultant who sent this latest letter. The phone number should be on your letter but, if there isn't a direct line, just phone the hospital and ask to be put through to Mr......'s secretary. Explain to her that you've received a letter cancelling your surgery and that you want to know why this is and what the appointment in December is for.

She probably won't be able to give you an answer straight away as she may need to speak to the consultant and they are with patients for most of the day. However, she should be able to get back to you in a day or two.

Let us know what happens

x

Edited 6/9/19 to remove the description of BCCs as benign

Hi 

am very confused Bcc to my knowledge are a malignant tumour, albeit slow growing, if they were benign they wouldn’t need removing at all, 

can you please clarify 

Regards Frankie 

Hi

You are right that BCCs do need removing because if left they can spread into nearby tissue or the bones and tissue underneath them.

In some information you will find them described as benign because of the fact that they grow very slowly, very rarely spread, are almost always cured with treatment and are hardly ever a danger to life. If you'd like more information click on this link which will take you to a leaflet produced by the British Association of Dermatologists.

You will also find them, along with SCCs, described as a non-melanoma skin cancer.

I hope I haven't confused you more!

Hi,

No it’s just all the information I’ve read and research I’ve done says bcc are malignant tumours that are slow growing and very rarely a threat to life. I think because I have an infiltrating bcc that since February this year has gone from small scab on end of my nose, to now a weeping bleeding sore that is covering whole tip of my nose and spreading both sides and going down septum, and that doesn’t feel slow growing to me, am on count down now for the MOHs then the flap then full reconstruction and am really terrified but know it’s got to be done because what you can see which is big enough is not how big it is, I also am fed up of hearing the term it’s only a bcc, or if your going to get cancer it’s a good one to get, seriously I would not be going through all that for a benign tumour.  I feel that bcc just isn’t taken seriously and feel more awareness needs to put out there, I am not a sun worshiper and I’ve not gone on sun beds, I do like being outdoors but always wear sun cream. Sorry am having a bad week it’s hard working and trying not to think about my surgery’s in just over 3 weeks time. I really feel the time you have to wait is unbearable but am in no rush to have what feels like is barbaric surgery, I know plastic surgeons are amazing and am hopeful the outcome of what am going to look like will be ok. Am sorry but am having a pity party day, some bcc are superficial and don’t need a lot of treatment but some are like mine high risk because of type and were it is, and all the months of surgery ahead. 

Regards Frankie

I'm sorry to hear about all the upcoming surgery you'll be having . It's not surprising that you're not looking forward to it, to put it mildly. 

It must be very upsetting if people are saying to you that BCCs are a good cancer to get. They probably think that saying this will help you but don't realise what's involved with the treatment you're going to have. 

I'd be interested if you could link me to the information that you've read that says that BCCs are malignant tumours as I haven't come across this description before. 

Have you had chance to read the information that I linked you to? I'm hoping that it will reassure you a little, especially as you said you're having a bad week. 

Please come back anytime you want to have a chat, or a bit of a rant. No one here will say it's only a BCC. 

All the best for your upcoming surgery and do let me know how you get on. 

x