topic Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION in Wellness

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

Calcgirl — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:31:49 GMT

I have been diagnosed with BCC on the front of my leg about 5 inches above my ankle. The dermatologist will be doing the scrape and burn procedure this upcoming week. She said it takes a long time for legs to heal. Has anyone here had this done and how long did it take to heal? I am 75 but in good health and do not have diabetes or poor blood circulation. However the biopsy has not healed and it has been over a week.

Thank you

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

jlkz — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:38:35 GMT

@Calcgirl

I am almost 79 and had stitches on the back of my shoulder after having something cut out. Like you, I am in good health but it takes more than a week for healing.

Follow the post-procedure care and keep it covered only as they instruct you.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

Shelbelle — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:23:04 GMT

I am not an expert on this kind of thing, but would it be better to wait until the biopsy has healed to proceed with more surgery?

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

shoesnbags — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:24:01 GMT

@Calcgirl

I've had several basal cell carcinomas removed, but none from my legs. They have always been removed by incision. I've never heard of "scrape and burn" for an actual skin cancer. My derm does burn off AK but always more agressive with anything that has progressed to cancer.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

Kachina624 — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:45:06 GMT

I had my second basal cell carcinoma removed in 2019 but it was on my face right next to the first one, alongside my nose. You'd be horrified if you saw the selfies I took that night.

Because the face is loaded with blood vessels, it healed pretty fast, probably faster than a leg would have.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

RedTop — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 22:14:11 GMT

I would think more in terms of 4+ weeks. I am very fair skinned, so every time the derm freeze burns something on me, it takes a good month or longer for total healing. Best wishes to you!

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

threecees — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 22:24:02 GMT

I also had two basal cell surgeries on each side of my nose in the last

several years. I had to be covered up for a very long time, a slow heal.

One side with a skin graft and the other was not. The side with a skin

graft healed much nicer than the opposite.

Hope everything turns out well for you.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

LTT1 — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 11:37:20 GMT

@Calcgirl

Sorry to hear... and hope you heal quickly.
I'm sure they will advise, if not provide, special adhesives. But I wanted to mention a great new hydrocolloid "bandage" or "patch" called "Duoderm". It might be appropriate for you. It was recommended by my dermatologist.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

chiclets — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 23:25:32 GMT

It takes time to heal. Healing is different with each person. Healing can be different with each procedure.

I have had basil and squamous cells removed. They did not heal in the same length of time. The squamous had to be dug out.The one basil did not.

What was difficult was was removing the bandages and applying the medication every night and then bandage.

It does not heal overnight.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

Somertime — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 23:26:33 GMT

I've had a number of Basil Cells removed from my leg usually on the bone the runs from the knee to the ankle because the skin is extremely thin in that area it takes quite awhile to heal. Nothing to worry about. I've had the procedure you did because to remove by incision is difficult in that area due to the lack of skin. I was diagnosed with skin cancer 35 years ago. I have had 3 melanomas removed and multiple basil cells. I have not been in the sun since I was 16! Unfortunately, I had to have radiation and as a result it escalated the skin cancer.

Everything will be fine, trust your doctor, he will monitor the healing and I am sure he will want to see you once a year. All the best to you.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

Calcgirl — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:34:12 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@Calcgirl

Sorry to hear... and hope you heal quickly.
I'm sure they will advise, if not provide, special adhesives. But I wanted to mention a great new hydrocolloid "bandage" or "patch" called "Duoderm". It might be appropriate for you. It was recommended by my dermatologist.

Thank you!

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

Calcgirl — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:38:39 GMT

@Somertime wrote:
I've had a number of Basil Cells removed from my leg usually on the bone the runs from the knee to the ankle because the skin is extremely thin in that area it takes quite awhile to heal. Nothing to worry about. I've had the procedure you did because to remove by incision is difficult in that area due to the lack of skin. I was diagnosed with skin cancer 35 years ago. I have had 3 melanomas removed and multiple basil cells. I have not been in the sun since I was 16! Unfortunately, I had to have radiation and as a result it escalated the skin cancer.

Everything will be fine, trust your doctor, he will monitor the healing and I am sure he will want to see you once a year. All the best to you.

Thank you Somertime, That is the location of my skin cancer and the reason for the procedure my doctor is doing. I am a widow alone and I am not looking forward to this! Call me a big chicken.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

phoenixbrd — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 01:54:08 GMT

@Calcgirl I am wishing you the best...and a speedy recovery. I always do a lot of research so I know the questions to ask the doctor about any procedure. It will help you feet more in control of the situation. Keep us posted!😘

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

msgb — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 15:42:52 GMT

I had this done about 4 yrs ago. I had the spot under a compression stocking because I do have DVT or chronic vein issues. I was 55 at the time. It took some time to heal fully. I also turned out to be allergic to the triple antibiotic that was suggested to put on to make sure that the area remained clean. Make sure it is clean and that the area is covered until the doctor states that you will be fine without the wound cover.

It was frightening to me as my father passed 6 yrs ago next month of melanoma.

I hope that you recover well.

if you feel you need to contact the doctor or his/ her service and or nurse and ask questions-- it is your life and you are the one that must make sure your voice is heard by them.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

conlt — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 03:55:00 GMT

My infirmed brother had a Basal Cell Carcinoma on his shoulder and the doctor did the Mohs surgery. I watched him do it. He scraped the Carcinoma until he thought he got it all, then the biopsy and scrape more if they have too. After the biopsy came out clean a plastic surgeon closed the wound. The entire thing took about 1/2 a day because we had to wait for biopsy results.

My brother did not seem to be hurting or disturbed by the procedure at all. He just sat there, no problems.

I think you will do OK. It was nothing to worry about really. The leg may take longer to heal but as an RN we heal legs all of the time. The MD will take care of you.

It took a couple of weeks for his wound to heal completely.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

LTT1 — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 11:39:11 GMT

@Calcgirl

I posted earlier about this recommended by my derm for healing:

I wish you an easy time and return to health with this❤️

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

gidgetgh — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 13:13:52 GMT

@Calcgirl wrote:
I have been diagnosed with BCC on the front of my leg about 5 inches above my ankle. The dermatologist will be doing the scrape and burn procedure this upcoming week. She said it takes a long time for legs to heal. Has anyone here had this done and how long did it take to heal? I am 75 but in good health and do not have diabetes or poor blood circulation. However the biopsy has not healed and it has been over a week.
Thank you

@Calcgirl - I had one on my thigh years ago. It healed very quickly. I don't remember exactly how long because it's been years, but it wasn't a standout thing in my memory. It just seems it healed pretty quickly. I am sure you will do fine. It was unsettling to me when I got the news it was cancerous, but it was really not a big deal. I wish you well.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

ScrapHappy — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 14:04:06 GMT

Both my husband and I had the Moh's procedure. His wa above his right eye brow and mine on the left side of my nose. With the Moh's procedure it's about removing the entire spot and checking the margins. I haven't heard of the burn and scrape procedure.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

BklynKinsey — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 15:32:20 GMT

I've had maybe 20+ basal cells and 2 squamous cells removed thru the years, six of them with Mohs surgery. The ones on my legs have always taken longer to heal and some of the biopsy areas became infected requiring antibiotics. I've been told that the legs are more of a problem area because there is less blood circulation in the legs. Everything healed in the end. My dermatologist instructions are always to use Aquaphor on the areas which keeps them moist so they don't scab up. I have a large kit with all kinds and sizes of bandages -- I am a pro at this point. Good luck to you -- I am sure everything will turn out OK.

Re: BASAL CELL CARCINOMA QUESTION

nycalady — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 17:41:15 GMT

My dermatologist advised me that thr area between the knee & ankle takes the longest to heal