Nodular BCC on forehead. Mohs or Standard Excision?

Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to read that you've recently been diagnosed with a BCC and I noticed that no one has yet come forward to tell you of their scar experiences.

While you're waiting for a reply you could use the search bar in this group to look for previous posts which mention excision scars and respond to any of the more recent ones if you want more information.

Do come back and let us know what you decide to do.

x

I've decided on a standard excision with a plastic surgeon. I was going to have MOHs, which I've had before on a previous BCC on side of my nose, however, it would have meant travelling from Newcastle to Leeds to have it (I'm doing this via private healthcare that I have with work) and on further investigation, the surgery wouldn't be until mid to end of April. Apparently as well there are no surgeons in Newcastle that do MOHs privately and the waiting list for MOHs in Newcastle is quite long on the NHS.

I just hope he's a good plastic surgeon and doesn't make too much of a mess. I feel really self-conscious already because of the scar from the last BCC / MOHs. 

I can understand why you'd want a neat job as the BCC is on your face. When I had a wide local excision (WLE) by a plastic surgeon for the removal of melanoma on my arm, the wound was about 6 inches long. However, he did an excellent job and the scar is barely visible now.

Do you have a date for your surgery?

Not yet, I'm having a consultation with the surgeon on Thursday. He has an interest in skin cancers on the face, so fingers crossed.

This whole thing has done nothing for my anxiety and stress, so have had to take time off work. I don't think I would have been half as bothered about this if it had been anywhere else on my body. The only small mercy I'm grateful for is that this is not as bad as it could be.

I think we can all empathise with the stress that the thought of having cancer brings . This is where I feel this community is invaluable as, having gone through it ourselves, we understand how you feel. It doesn't make any difference if your cancer is a slow growing BCC or an aggressive lung cancer, we all understand.

Sending a supportive ((hug))