Rodent ulcer - panicking

Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to read that your GP believes that you have either a BCC or SCC but it's good that s/he's referred you on to a dermatologist to get it checked.

My skin cancer was melanoma so I don't have any personal experience with BCC or SCC. I've typed '10mm' into the search bar in this group and found a number of previous posters who mention that this was the size of their skin cancer. You could do the same and reply to the more recent ones to see if this size is considered large or not.

You could also post your question in the ask a nurse section of the community and one of the specialist nurses will aim to respond within 2 working days.

It's perfectly natural to worry about how you'll look after the cancer has been removed but you'll find lots of posts here from people who have had excisions on their nose and are very pleased with the results.

When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit 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 you have a date for your appointment with dermatology?

x

Thank you for your reply.  I am waiting to get my appointment through the post however the GP said it could be 2-4 weeks.  I'll follow your helpful advice.  I must stop googling! It's when I've had a quick browse at surgery photos that start to panic.  Thank again for taking the time to look at my post.  x

Hi

Yes please do stop googling. The trouble with google is that you go on looking for something that will tell you that everything is going to be okay but instead find horror stories! We've all done it but now know that if you want to ask anything come here.

I'm not surprised to hear that your appointment might not be for another 2-4 weeks as BCCs and SCCs are usually very slow growing so there's not normally any rush to remove them. 

Take care

x

1. Hi Catlady, I was the same as you and was terrified as I’d had my bcc on my nose for approx 3 years. I’d googled and got into a terrible state. I can honestly say it will not be as bad as you are fearing. (This was approx a year ago, I come back on this site from time to time as I’m so vigilant since then, and had lots of check ups for other skin areas but my fears have been unwarranted)  2-4 weeks can seem a lot but if it helps mine was there for about 3 years ( I was given antibiotic cream when I went to the GP) and I am very happy with the result. My advice is to stay off google if you can and I am sure all will go well for you x

Thanks Magic. I hope I can get it all sorted asap. Obviously with the current situation there is probably a backlog.  I've convinced myself that it's spread every time I get an ache or pain somewhere and that I will lose half my nose.  It's easy to spiral living alone so I keep popping on here for some perspective. x

Yes it is easy, I was the same it’s a horrible anxiety and I really feel for you. It didn’t matter what anyone said to me I was creeping back to google so really try not to, ( it’s always the worst case scenario) I found this site very helpful. I hope you get sorted soon, just a thought, have you considered a private dermatology apt? It will be a lot quicker. You can still have any treatment ( if needed) on the NHS often with the same person, but it speeds up the whole process.It should cost approx £150 - £200. Whatever you decide I hope all goes well for you and wish you all the best x 

Hiya! I had a bcc about a centimetre across and was originally due to have it removed 15th April but of course with the current crisis it was cancelled. In the end I had to wait just under four months for the surgery. I was like you in that while I was waiting I convinced myself that is was growing. Getting in to hospital was quite a drawn out experience. First I had to isolate myself for two weeks then, go for a test and because I was negative had the op two days later. It was ok, surgery is never nice but it was a local anaesthetic and the only pain I felt was actually from them injecting the anaesthetic. After that I felt no pain. That was three weeks ago and it is still tender and feels a bit strange but it is ok. One thing, because the surgeon had to kind of pinch the skin after she had removed the bcc, I now have no wrinkles on that side of my head! So it is kind of a quarter face lift! Anyway I hope it goes ok.

take care

Hi

I was just checking in to see how you are doing and to ask if you have a date for your surgery yet?

x

Hi Latchbrook, I was supposed to have it removed yesterday but there was a "mix up" with the surgery booking and I was told to go home.  I was already in my gown and pants... I'm going to have ANOTHER consultation with the plastic surgeon.  If I continue to lose confidence in the treatment I am going to pay for a private consultation with a MOHs qualified surgeon for reassurance that the surgery offered is the right one for me

Oh how annoying to be all prepared for surgery and then to be sent home . Why have they booked another consultation with the plastic surgeon? Why not just rearrange your surgery date?

A second opinion could give you peace of mind and I know from personal experience that an initial consultation doesn't cost too much. Most private surgeons/consultants also have a NHS practice so you might be lucky and they are able to do the operation on their NHS list, if they recommend you go down the Mohs surgery route.

x