Re: Precancerous Mole removed

meallen616 · ‎01-10-2013

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

Yes, on my nose. She took it off, and no other issues. I do use sunscreen but otherwise no issues.

brandiwine · ‎03-11-2010

Congratulations on finding this early. I was lucky as well. It's no big deal. They numb you up and remove what they need to. Clean margins a couple of stitches and you're good to go. No reason to "freak" out. I see my derm regularly to make sure I have no new spots.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I had a large cancerous growth removed from the side of my nose. It took a long time as the surgeon kwould cut, then examine the tissue and I'd have to go back for more. I wouldn't have recognized myself when I gott home and looked in the mirror. I drove myself home. Took over a week to look normal again.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Yes, my husband, both daughters and I had skin lesions removed that were precancerous.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

There is some debate in the dermatology field as to the wisdom of removing moles. My old dermatologist was against it as he considered moles indicators of cancerous changes. He recommended yearly checks, and as long as a mole hadn't changed, he'd leave it.

He equated it to removing the engine warning light in a car. You can take out the engine warning light and never have to worry about the light coming on, but all kinds of bad things can be happening to the car's engine. He viewed moles as a warning light type of thing. If something bad was happening under the skin, changes to the mole would be the first indicator. If you remove the mole, the same bad things can be happening, but won't be noticed until it's too late.

Family history, personal history, all can play a role in the decision to remove or not to remove a mole, and different doctors view things differently. As long as a mole hasn't changed, I leave them be.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

I did 2x now--one was a squamous cell carcinoma on the back of my ankle and the other was a basal cell one on my chest. both were scraped out to get the results but I went back and did the scoop and burn method. Not a big thing--both are pretty common the ankle spot was on me for a few years-----I went in for different ailment and just happeded to show the derm dr my ankle one--and she immediately got right on that one. Could have had it surgically removed with stitches, but I chose this other method. Of course it can turn into cancer but depending on what type it is , it would take years and years--now if it were melanoma--well THAT is a whole new thing. Proactive is a good thing!!!!

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

I had a couple of moles removed from my face many, many years ago. The doctor used a punch type of tool, then a couple of stitches. After everything was completely healed, the dermatologist started me on full strength RetinA to prevent scarring.

JoyFilled Warrior · ‎09-02-2022

@gardenman wrote:
There is some debate in the dermatology field as to the wisdom of removing moles. My old dermatologist was against it as he considered moles indicators of cancerous changes. He recommended yearly checks, and as long as a mole hadn't changed, he'd leave it.

He equated it to removing the engine warning light in a car. You can take out the engine warning light and never have to worry about the light coming on, but all kinds of bad things can be happening to the car's engine. He viewed moles as a warning light type of thing. If something bad was happening under the skin, changes to the mole would be the first indicator. If you remove the mole, the same bad things can be happening, but won't be noticed until it's too late.

Family history, personal history, all can play a role in the decision to remove or not to remove a mole, and different doctors view things differently. As long as a mole hasn't changed, I leave them be.

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dang, @gardenman Whatta vivid analogy! Thanks for sharing this.

I once had a neighbor who had a precancerous mole on the waterline, edge of her eyelid, y'know hat teny area where we apply eyeliner pencil. Wow'zah. Sharp, alert eyes, yeah!

@qvc chick Some great, caring advice & encouragement here. Glad you took, are taking good care of yrself abt this. Forging ahead ... yeah?

"Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" TLB

FastDogWalker2 · ‎03-10-2010

@Kachina624 I had the same thing done to the left side of my nose about 9 years ago. It was Mohs surgery. They took off so much that it was necessary for skin from behind my ear to be attached to my nose to help form it. It took forever to heal and many visits to the plastic surgeon to try and make it look "normal." it is not perfect - the skin color and texture there is different but the up side it the cancer was removed.