Basal cell carcinoma spread

Hi Hamsterqueen 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 haven't had a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that hasn't all been removed first time but, if on examining it when it's sent off to pathology, it's seen that they haven't got clear margins, ie the skin cancer goes right up to the edge of what has been removed, then you'll probably have a second larger excision.

When are you expecting to get the results of the excision biopsy back?

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.

Thank you for your reply latchbrook. It is much appreciated. I'm not sure when you receive the results from pathology. They just said that they would be in touch and let me know what the next step or treatment would be but they didn't actually say any dates. They just said it would be discussed at the next mdt meeting. I'm really hoping for clear margins as my skin is very sore .

When I've had various bits and pieces removed I've either been given written or verbal information about how long it should be before I'd hear, how I'd hear and where to contact if I haven't heard anything within the timeframe I'd been given.

You haven't said in your profile or post when you had the BCC removed, but it can take anything between 2-8 weeks before the results are back. It mainly depends on how busy the pathology laboratories are in your area of the country, but the average wait time is usually about 4 weeks.

Thank you for replying . I had it removed earlier this week so I imagine that I have a few weeks to wait then. I'm going back for my stitches out next week so I'll make sure to ask then. Thank you 

Hi Hamsterqueen  I have had 2 basal cell cncers removed from my face.  Both of them the results took 6 weeks to come back which my Consultant gave me at at the 6 week final consultation.  Luckily all margins were clear in both of mine which was good as I didnt have MOHS surgery, he just took wide margins.  These pesky things are a nuisance aren't they.  People who have nevrer had any dealings with them just dont understand.  Good Luck xx

Hi Hamsterqueen 

How did you get on when you had your stitches out? Was the nurse able to give you an indication of when you should get your results?

Hi thank you for replying. You're right they are pesky things. I had my stitches out yesterday and the nurses asked if I'd had my results yet but my wound ended up being infected so I got distracted by that and ended up forgetting to ask when I would get my results. Six weeks is okay to wait as I'm hoping that it was all removed. I didn't have mohs either so I'm hoping that he just took a wide enough area . Take care and I'll update when I get my results xx

Hi I had my stitches out yesterday but apparently the wound was infected. I hadn't realised asI thought the little spots I had were connected to using the vaseline but I'm on antibiotics now and the wound looks better for having the stitches out already. I'm a lot calmer now about waiting for my results and in a better frame of mind. I think I was just panicking and I'm hoping that because he removed a large area of skin the margins will be clear. I'll keep you updated when I get my results. Thank you for replying again x

Hi Hamsterqueen,

I had a bcc on my forehead and they didn't get the whole thing the first time. So I had a 2nd excision 2 weeks later, then the margins were clear.

I wouldn't be worried about these lines or strands you think mean it has spread because if that were the case the pros would have def seen it too and gotten it out the first time ;).

Good luck,

Anni