BCC and SCC on scalp

Hi Gayle and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm sorry to read that you need further surgery, or radiotherapy, on your scalp to remove a BCC and a SCC from your scalp. It must have been very disappointing to discover that they hadn't managed to get it all first time.

How did your appointment with the radiotherapist go?

I don't have the experience you're looking for but there are lots of people in the group that do. If you click here the link will take you to previous posts which mention the scalp.

I'm also going to 'tag' phenom into my reply as they have had surgery on their scalp recently so might be able to tell you about their experience.

As for the possibility of being left with a large bumpy bald patch on the top of your head has your consultant said whether the hair would eventually grow back? I'm about to start chemotherapy for breast cancer and having very long hair I completely understand your worry about how losing your hair will affect your confidence. I have recently bought a wig in preparation for losing my hair from a hairdressers who specialise in people who have lost hair, for one reason or another, and the synthetic wigs and choice of styles are very good. 

Let us know how you get on

x

Hi Gayle I recently had a 5cm BCC removed from my scalp and have been left with three large bald patches, one of which is lumpy.  However 3 inch long hair covers the whole area.  I recently had a very short hair cut (number 5) and that exposed it a bit but not much.  I was also very worried but I think you will be surprised how much baldness can actually be covered with not very long hair. Good luck. Xx

Thanks Latchbrook for your reply, my appointment with the radiotherapist was good however it made me realise it’s not quite as straightforward as I initially thought. They don’t normally advise radiotherapy for someone my age (56) because of the risk of it causing cancer in the future although it’s only 1% they say. There’s also a risk it could kill the skin graft already there or worse it could kill the bone which would lead to more surgery, again it’s a small risk of about 3%.  Also at the moment I have a 2cm bald patch which would increase to 6cm and the hair will never grow back. So now I have a difficult choice of whether to go for radiotherapy with it’s risks or flap surgery. I have a lot of thinking to do!  I believe there are lots of options for bald patches like weaves or clip on hair pieces which is reassuring.

Good luck with your chemotherapy,  hope it all goes well x

Hi Phenom, thanks for your message it’s reassuring to hear that it can be easily covered with other hair.  Also I hear there are options of weaves and clip on pieces which I need to investigate further.  Did you have flap surgery or a skin graft? Have you been told the lumpy area will go down in time? 

It’s good to talk to someone who has been through it thanks so much x

Hi there,

I have a confirmed bcc on my scalp and I’m waiting a referral to plastics, been waiting for an appt but heard nothing yet, I guess they feel no urgency with it but I’m keen to know what they will do with it. It’s probably size of a ten pence piece although I’m suspicious of another ‘spot’ about an inch away.

how long was the wait for you? X

Hi Poppy5 I totally understand how you’re feeling, it’s hard to wait as you feel like you just want to have it removed don’t you? I had to wait 6 weeks before I had my surgery but I did contact the consultants secretary who gave me the appointments line which was very difficult to get through to but I kept ringing until I eventually got through. I would suggest trying to chase up the appointment. I know the hospitals are very busy but it’s also important for you to get things moving for your state of mind.  I had mine removed with a skin graft on top taken from just under my shoulder blade.

Good luck and let me know how you get on x

hi gayle  Although not relevant to your area. I have had two basal cell cancers removed one with flap surgery and one with skin graft, both on my face. One by the side of my nose and the other near my eye.  They are both healing now but can't answer your question regarding whether the hair will grow again.  I had them both done privately one for a better outcome and the other to get them dealt with immediately.  Good Luck and happy to help if I can. xx

Hi Gayle.  6 years ago when I was 41  had a skin graft on the top right of my scalp which left me with a bald patch about 2 inches in diameter.  I had long hair at the time and it covered it quite well.  I would tend to wear a hat a lot though particularly on windy days.  I lost a lot of my hair last year during chemo but it’s growing back now and although shorter it’s covering the bald patch again.  I was very conscious of it to start with but these days Im a lot less bothered. 

Hi Harlyn thanks for your message, glad they are healing well. Do you mind me asking roughly how much did it cost to have the procedure done privately as that is something I am considering if I decide to have more surgery. Thanks Gayle x

Hi Gayle Not too sure how much it cost as claimed through Bupa.  We have a £500 excess which was nearly used by consultations.  When you have paid this Bupa deal with the bills so I haven't seen them.  I did see one as we had to pay about £70 of it to make the £500 up and it was for first operation £2,000, but don't know if this included biopsies etc.  I would imagine with follow ups for the 2 it would be around £6,000, but could be more or slightly less.  I considered it was worth it as the treatment I received was excellent, Consultant so kind and caring and done in more formal surroundings, just me, Consultant and a Nurse who held my hand throughout and that was it.