Regencorr AK / Scc concerns

Hi Magda.K 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 had an actinic keratosis removed from my chest a few years ago but it was done by cryotherapy so I don't have any experience with Regencorr cream.

I have done a search in the group to look for previous posts which mention this cream but drawn a blank I'm afraid. As it looks like no one else in the group has been prescribed Regencorr cream it might be best to pose your questions to your GP or dermatologist as they will be best placed to tell you whether you should stop using the cream or not.

It would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Do come back and let us know what your GP/dermatologist says.

x

Hello latchbrook.  Very glad to hear from you.  I did not wait and went to the doctor to get a biopsy to give me some peace of mind, but the doctor looked and said that visually he did not see any skin cancer apart from residual actinic keratosis and that he would not give me a biopsy. I must say the doctor looked carefully, I don't think I will check his conclusions. I calmed down a little but the worry remained.                                                                                                   Well done to you for coping with such an ordeal as AC removal by cryotherapy. I know it's difficult, painful and psychologically challenging to go through. But I wouldn't have taken that step. After all, I had actinic keratosis on both my eyelid and nose, cryotherapy would have resulted in scars, which no cosmetics would have helped me to fix.      My acquaintances and relatives had both positive and negative experiences from cryotherapy treatment. I, on the other hand was looking for an alternative, milder treatment. I have had a prolonged treatment for some time.  I hope experienced users will respond and help me understand what to do next.

Hi Magda.K

I'm glad that your doctor was able to reassure you about your actinic keratosis.

When I had cryotherapy, it wasn't painful in the least. The area that was treated was very small though, so I don't know if that made a difference. It just felt very cold for a few seconds while they applied the liquid. A blister appeared over the area soon afterwards but once that went, I was left with new skin and no scar. This was on my chest though, not my face.

What did the doctor advise you to do regarding taking a break from using the Regencorr cream?

Wishing you all the best

x

My doctor behaved strangely, I think. At first he said that most of the actinic keratosis had been cured with the cream, which was very good, but again he suggested removing the areas where there was a buildup of scab. I politely told him once again that I would not remove anything else on my face and that I had had enough of the pale spots and keloids. As far as I know, my doctor tells all his patients and reassures them: "...don't worry, everything will be removed...". I decided to prolong the first phase of treatment with regencorr for 10 days and watch. Especially the instructions for use say that it is perfectly acceptable to increase the duration of application of the cream, if it is a complex form of actinic keratosis.

It is very good that your actinic keratosis was small in size. It suggests that you haven't overused tanning and apparently you have a strong immune system. I have a slightly different situation. I would like to point out that the way your cryotherapy was carried out, your doctor is very careful and a good professional in his field.

I wish the fact that I had a small area of actinic keratoses Magda.K meant that I hadn't been in the sun too much in the past but sadly that isn't the case as I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma 6 years ago. The AK was picked up at one of my 3 monthly skin check-ups that I have because of having a melanoma diagnosis.

I can't fault the care I've had from my dermatologist since

x

God, I am so ashamed that I did not find time to at least study your biography and medical history earlier. You have been through too many ordeals, both melanoma and breast cancer, it just doesn't sink in my mind. I sincerely wish you all the chemotherapy sessions easily, a stronger immune system and a stable remission!

Hi Magda.K

There's nothing to be ashamed about (((hugs)))

Thank for your best wishes - I have just 2 chemotherapy sessions to go before a couple of weeks of radiotherapy and then that should be the end of treatment, fingers crossed.

x

Hi all. I have treated actinic keratosis cream, but my AK lesions were only a little on my hand and nose and a little on my ear. Scabs and crusting were only on my hands and a little on my ear. I had a small scc on the same hand which had AK. I had this tumour removed surgically and I am doing prophylaxis. I don't understand your doctor, did he not see that because of the scab and keratin buildup the cream could not penetrate the skin? he could have advised something after all. The problem you are facing is easy to explain but it is not as simple as it sounds. It's a difficulty I've encountered myself and most people who have areas of dense keratin, a scab. The cream either does not penetrate well or does not penetrate at all. That is why you have such a difference in the effect of the cream in actinic keratosis, between areas with and without a scab. Under the influence of the cream, the scab may peel off after two to three weeks or it may remain partially on the skin, which slows down the treatment. By the way, it is written and emphasized in the instructions of the cream, but it is not written or advised how we patients deal with this problem. Generally there are two options - before using regencorr, you have to apply either keratolytics, or apply the regencorr cream itself under an occlusive dressing or patch for about 5-8 days. But there is a disadvantage - it consumes a lot of cream, so it is better to try keratolytics before applying the cream. (this was recommended to me by my doctor, also similar advice is given by experienced people in other communities). When applying sunscreen to your face and chest, do you apply sunscreen over it? Do you have any skin reactions? Were you able to find the sunscreen easily?

Thank you so much for the advice. I will be trying a keratolytic. I've read about it and also called my dermatologist and asked which keratolytic to use to remove the scab and he recommended salicylic alcohol. How to apply it will have to be decided, although everyone has different information.  I've been very serious about sun protection this year. I had no problem with sunscreens. The first sunscreen I found worked, I used 50 spf of course. Most likely you are allergic to sunscreen, which is not surprising, they contain so many different chemicals, you read about them and are horrified, but you can't do without them.  what keratolytic have you used?

No  no, not salicylic alcohol. At first I also thought that I should try this alcohol, besides it is recommended and seems to be effective, but my doctor once asked me in a conversation whether I was sure that salicylic alcohol can be used just before regencorr, whether both are compatible, because it is a strong substance that penetrates deep into the skin and tissues. And here I began to have doubts.  Later I was advised another keratolytic (lotion) with lactic acid 15% is possible, but 20% is better + urea 20%. The lotion does not need to be used for a long time, and after you can start or resume application of regencorr .                                                                                                                                                   As for the sunscreen - yes, apparently I am allergic, but this is my fourth cream in a row. There is some common ingredient in sunscreens that I have a reaction to, but which one I can't figure out. Without the cream to leave the house in sunny weather has become scary.  In my opinion, with problems like ours, sunscreen should be at least SPF-100.