I realize basal cell skin cancer is very common and very treatable. Wasn’t concerned at all until after 3 excisions I started doing my own research. Vulval BCC is an uncommon cancer with a different cause, different presentations, and different/more aggressive behaviour than other BCC.
There is very little literature/papers online regarding genital BCC but what I’ve found paints a very different picture than what my Drs are saying. The biopsy, WLE and even Mohs microsurgery still haven’t achieved negative margins but I’m told nothing to worry about “it’s just Basal CelI” Now something is happening on the flip side and also a reddish purple lesion on the introitus which I have an appt. for at cancer clinic on Wednesday.
The few (peer reviewed) research papers I have found say a 2.7% chance of metastasis (predilection for lung) but when the chance of even getting basal cell there is 0.5% I don’t find that as comforting as I should.
The high risk BCC features are: neglected (yes 10 years plus/misdiagnosed 4x), over 1 cm (yes 3 cm), over 1 mm deep (yes original biopsy 2 mm including margin), recurrent (yes within 2 months of every excision), basosquamous, morpheic or infiltrative subtype (yes infiltrative and nodular). Why do they even stratify high and low risk if it doesn’t raise red flags?
I had a CT for chronic cough and have a couple of nodules, one favouring a low grade adenocarcinoma. Further PET and pulmonary specialist agree. Because of small size and location radiologist isn’t confident he can get a good biopsy so will revisit that in 4 months. I was a longtime smoker and am sure if it is lung cancer then it’s all on me. Still though, sometimes wonder if…
Hi Abby Can 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 Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
