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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / March 2004Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose
Am in mid-late 40's and Biopsy a few weeks ago indicated squamous cell cancer on nose (tip of it pretty much). Was a growth the size of a pimple that would come and go...for at least a couple years...having been frozen off twice during that time. Have visited 2 plastic surgeons so far, and although they both seem knowledgeable, and both say the size appears to be small and scarring would be minimal...they both also explained that standard procedure is to remove approximately 3 times the size of the known cancer site as a margin. I understand the logic/reasoning, and yet feel that Mohs surgery might be a better alternative. But despite my internet skills and searches, I cannot find a lot of testimonials in favor of or against either technique. I am scheduled to see a Mohs surgeon on Monday, but in the meantime, would appreciate some feedback...pro or con....from an expert or someone with personal experience of either procedure. I am interested in cure rates,but amd just AS concerned with the cosmetics. Not too worried about a line scar, but very worried I'll end up with an even more noticeable "dimple" on my nose than I already have from the biopsy. Will both methods help to fill in the existing indentation in my nose? You know....if I had gotten the indentation bumping into a wall, or in a fight, it wouldn't bother me as much. But I feel violated in that the Dermatologist who did the Biopsy did not prepare me sufficiently for what my nose would look like afterward. I know down deep I am worried about the cancer being cancer, no matter how slow moving a variety it alledgedly is, and I want to get it removed asap. But I need to know beforehand that I'm using the surgeon and technique most likely to achieve the best results. Any advise or feedback appreciated. There is no "right" answer or response. Just a lot of worry and confusion and indecision that I'm hoping will be eased with some additional information. I always try to answer replies to my posts, but thanks in advance to any that I miss. > Have visited 2 plastic surgeons so far, and although they both seem > knowledgeable, and both say the size appears to be small and scarring > would be minimal...they both also explained that standard procedure is > to remove approximately 3 times the size of the known cancer site as a > margin. I understand the logic/reasoning, and yet feel that Mohs > surgery might be a better alternative. You better listen to the experts > But despite my internet skills > and searches, I cannot find a lot of testimonials in favor of or > against either technique. testimonials are inherently misleading: For each testimonial you can find an other one saying exactly the opposite. No doubt you can always find a testimonial you like, but to bet your health on that is a gamble you don't want to take. The only thing that counts are clinical trials in which a large number of patients are followed over an extended period of time. For instance, I found the following: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.01169.x/abs/ Bottomline: Of 200 tumors, 25 (12.5%) metastasized. Jan My uncle had mohs this past year and is very happy with the outcome. His wife is a nurse and her brother is a doctor. They did the research on the procedure. I have a picture of him before his surgery and after his surgery, if you are concerned about how it looks. You can read a lot about MOHS for squamous cell by doing a simple google search: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=squamous +mohs You may want to look here: http://www.skincancer.org/squamous/treatment.php Take Care, Sharon http://www.rare-cancer.org Sharon, Thank you. I had seen the gross pictures before in my internet travels, and despite being grateful that my "sore" was never quite that severe and realizing others are in much worse shape....I'd rather not view them. However, I do appreciate your sharing of the positive results your uncle had and your words of encouragement. I know it's not an emergency...that it's a slow moving cancer, etc, but it has been there for at least 2 years. Although the second surgeon pointed out that even theough the sore has been there a long time, it may not have been cancerous the whole time. Still, I am anxious to get this behind me and have fewer events or public appearances anticipated in February, so really want it done this month. Unfortunately, the first Mohs doctor I was referred to (by the dermatologist, whose judgement I am a little skeptical of now) had a strange arangement in that you could get an appointment for surgery more easily than for a consultation. Yes... I was able to get an appointment for surgery ...literally sight unseen...for the first week of February, whereas the earliest consult wasn't available till somewhere around the 19th. I cancelled the appointment a couple of days ago, cause even if I go the "mohs" route, its sounded too "assembly-line-ish" to me. But after talking to the two surgeons who use the more conventional method, I started to wonder if the Mohs technique might be a better way to go...even if the first doctor's style of taking patients seemed odd to me. A little part of me is wondering if I should have "bitten the bullet" and gone to the Mohs surgeon (1st one) and had the work done already. However, most of me felt that would have been a foolish route, even IF the doctor is actually quite good. Now I'm leaning more towards the Mohs, and hoping that the doctor I'm seeing Monday (a Mohs surgeon the second plastic surgeon referred me to, so I could check out that option....which I though was very classy or professional, by the way) will say something that will help me crystallize what's best for me. But what if I'm just as confused even after that appointment? If only I could see an artists rendering or computer generated image of what my nose would look like after both methods, and then I could choose the best approach. I'd still be taking a chance on the doctor's expertise, but at least it would be an educated one. Anyay, thank you again for replying and for your positive info regarding Mohs. Larry > My uncle had mohs this past year and is very happy with the outcome. His > wife is a nurse and her brother is a doctor. They did the research on the [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Take Care, Sharon > http://www.rare-cancer.org The object of the MOH's procedure is to take a slice, test it, take another slice if needed. The more invasive surgery would take a larger chunk. Some articles on efficacy: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/5dbb2.htm This is a pic of my uncle before the MOH's procedure. He is on the left (also has CLL). Here is a pic of him after the MOH's procedure: http://www.rare-cancer.org/image/mohs.jpg All of us in the family have what I refer to as 'ski jump' noses. If I go out during the day, even with sunblock, I am bound to come back with a red nose. So, the potential for problems is always there. His cancer was on the tip of his nose. It was basal cell. My Mom has had two cancerous cells removed (she cannot remember the cell type) from her nose. She had standard surgery and you would never know it. They were small, however. This may have confused you even more, but I hope not. One thing I can tell you is that I, personally, would never have a doctor do surgery on me without meeting them first. I want to see if he/she is sober and if his/her hands are steady. Take Care, Sharon http://www.rare-cancer.org This is a pic of my uncle before the MOH's procedure. Sorry, forgot the 'before' . http://www.rare-cancer.org/person1.html Here is a pic of him after the MOH's procedure: http://www.rare-cancer.org/image/mohs.jpg Sharon, Thank you for the pictures and the tip about looking for steady hands. I am relieved to see no evidence of any missing skin on the picture of your Uncle. The one surgeon did say I would [probably] just have a line afterward, which I know would fade with time (its the Probably that worries me a bit). Mostly, I want the cancer gone and the hole in my nose from the biopsy and cancer removal procedure made less noticeable...or ideally invisible. Too much to ask? I hope not. Thank you again for your support. Larry > This is a pic of my uncle before the MOH's procedure. > Sorry, forgot the 'before' . > http://www.rare-cancer.org/person1.html > > Here is a pic of him after the MOH's procedure: > http://www.rare-cancer.org/image/mohs.jpg > This is a pic of my uncle before the MOH's procedure. > Sorry, forgot the 'before' . > http://www.rare-cancer.org/person1.html > > Here is a pic of him after the MOH's procedure: > http://www.rare-cancer.org/image/mohs.jpg I am a cancer advocate, so I searched my Uncle's nose with a critical eye. I was impressed with his outcome. I will hope and pray that you only need to have a small area removed. Please let me know how you make out. You can always contact me through the contact form on my website. If you would like to talk to my uncle, he has told me that he would always be available to anyone who needed 'to talk'. Take Care, Sharon http://www.rare-cancer.org (this post may seem a little out of sync cause I can read replies with the newsreader before they show up in Google, but can't reply with it...so replying to your last post in the thread that can't be seen here yet.) Well... am heading to the Mohs doctor appt in few minutes. Kind of nervous and hope that afterward my choice will be clearer. If not, if I'm not thrilled with the doctor, but like what I hear about the procedure...I suppose I'll need to see at least one more doctor. Thank you for the offer to talk to your uncle. I'll see what happens this morning. Pro or con, I won't be home much for next few days, and am sure I'll be mulling things over endlesssly the whole time. I will try to post back either after I make a decision or after the deed is done (although, I have this fear of experiencing "cognitive dissonance" otherwise known as buyer's remorse, where people will say ---you should have done this instead...or that...,--- you know what I mean). Just have to see what happens next now. Thanks, Larry I am a cancer advocate, so I searched my Uncle's nose with a critical eye. I was impressed with his outcome. I will hope and pray that you only need to have a small area removed. Please let me know how you make out. You can always contact me through the contact form on my website. If you would like to talk to my uncle, he has told me that he would always be available to anyone who needed 'to talk'. Take Care, Sharon http://www.rare-cancer.org > Am in mid-late 40's and Biopsy a few weeks ago indicated squamous cell > cancer on nose (tip of it pretty much). Was a growth the size of a [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > I always try to answer replies to my posts, but thanks in advance to > any that I miss. Personally, I'd have a single shot of superficial radiotherapy.......... Hi, I didn't see much about Radiotherapy (nor did any doctor's mention). The only info I did see seemed to indicate it only for those for whom surgery wouldbe dangerous (the elderly and sick). Also thought I saw some mention of side effects like hair loss. Am I mistaken about that? I have most of my hair still, but do have a bald spot. Not interested in anything that could potentially accelerate that process. > > Am in mid-late 40's and Biopsy a few weeks ago indicated squamous cell > > cancer on nose (tip of it pretty much). Was a growth the size of a [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > Personally, I'd have a single shot of superficial radiotherapy.......... > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I have most of my hair still, but do have a bald spot. Not interested > in anything that could potentially accelerate that process. Unless you have hair on the end of your nose, there will be no hair loss! It's great for people who are too sick for surgery, but everyone else too! >Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >I have most of my hair still, but do have a bald spot. Not interested >in anything that could potentially accelerate that process. Superficial radiotherapy to the tumor is not likely to have any side effects at all. most of the problem associated with Radiotherapy come from more generalized or systemic exposure, such as you may get from brain tumor, where the tumor may get the largest does, but your scalp and other parts of your head get non-trivial amounts. If the tumor is superficial, there is no reason to irradiate anything except the tumor, ie. a shield is made for most of the nose and face, or beam shaping and aiming is used to prevent exposure to areas other than the tumor itself. Steph, Where would I look for objective information on radiotherapy? > > Am in mid-late 40's and Biopsy a few weeks ago indicated squamous cell > > cancer on nose (tip of it pretty much). Was a growth the size of a [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > Personally, I'd have a single shot of superficial radiotherapy.......... > Steph, > > Where would I look for objective information on radiotherapy? http://www.oncologychannel.com/skincancer/squamouscell.shtml Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. It involves the malignant transformation and proliferation of squamous (flat, scaly) cells. Radiation therapy is an effective option for many tumors, especially large lesions on the nose, lips, or eyelids, and for people unable to undergo surgical excision. The radiation destroys the tumor cells along with some surrounding healthy tissue. The scar is usually lighter and forms a depression. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/5495.cfm Treatment Most squamous cell carcinomas can be cured with minor surgery. Treatment options may include curettage and electrodesiccation, radiation therapy, standard excision, or Mohs' surgery. http://tinyurl.com/2pgy8 Radiation therapy is a preferred treatment modality in tumours whose excision would produce significant cosmetic deformity especially on the ear, eyelid margin or nasal alar rim. Radiation may also be preferable in older patients or others in whom surgery might be contra-indicated for reasons of general health, debility, etc. I'd be running on the theory that (since you've had cryosurgery twice and it's still not gone, it's stubborn) and that judicious radiation therapy just might stop it once and for all and no need for reconstructive surgery (with Mohs), but if it did recur, you could go with Mohs later (rather than sooner), but I'm not an radiation oncologist. My friend's got some "precancerous lesions" and if something needs to be done, at a later date, I've definitely told her to look into radiation therapy first. Rather than muddle around with surgery /Mohs healing and possible reconstruction issues. And that's what I'd ask for if our (Cdn) system would allow me. That's me. I don't know if a person can have radiation therapy a second time. Perhaps depends on the dose and number of treatments the first time? Ask Steph. J Hi, I DO appreciate the feedback/advice here, and hope my lack of response to the last few posts isn't seen as rude. It's just that I am really not pleased at all with the man-made cleft I now have on my nose as a result of the Biopsy, and, so I'm looking not just to minimize further damage, but some improvement or repair of that site. My understanding of the radio-therapy is that I would still need to find a plastic surgeon afterward to do some "repair" work, and that I would have to wait till the site settles down. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but the other problem is I really want to have the cancer irradicated now, and start healing asap. I'm scheduled for Moh's surgery Thursday, and I'll just have to go with the decision I made last week. I'm not willing to postpone and there's just no time. I wish I had found this group a few weeks sooner. Thank you to everyone that replied so far, and I'll try to post back after my surgery with my experiences. > > Steph, > > [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > J "jetstar88" <news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message > Hi, > My understanding of the radio-therapy is that I would still need to > find a plastic surgeon afterward to do some "repair" work, and that I > would have to wait till the site settles down. I had multiple breast surgeries, with radiation treatments following. I did not wait very long to have the PS done and that was a big mistake on my part. The tissue was very traumatized still, so the pain was intense. And the healing process took a very long time. If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited a while after radiation. > I'll just have to go with the decision I made > last week. I'm not willing to postpone and there's just no time. I remember trying to go through the decision to have radiation and chemotherapy. Both were suggested by doctors back then. I had taken the time to do my own research (my cancer is very slow growing, so I had time). I decided against chemotherapy and for radiation. I could have had just surgery also. I had my own personal reasons to choose what I did. I can tell you that once I chose my treatment plan, I never looked back. And I promised myself that I would stand behind my own decision, no matter what. I have never regretted the decisions I made. It sounds to me like you have come to a point of acceptance about your own choices and your decision. My suggestion is that you face forward, don't look back! And remember, scars always look bad when you first have the surgery. I had open incision marks, then scars, that looked like craters to me. Now that I have totally healed, I never even notice them. The healing process takes time. Be patient with yourself and your body. -- Take Care, Sharon Lane http://www.rare-cancer.org Thanks Sharon and Kathy (I can see your post in my newsreader, but not in Google just yet), Yes, I think my second thoughts are over. I was going through some last minute questioning of my own decision, but if I was still undecided I would have been afraid to even send the post before this for fear people would sway me one way or the other. It's Even more of a relief to have gotten supportive responses from you. And I THINK I'm mentally prepared for the way the sore will look for quite some time. At least the doctor prepared me (all of the surgeons for that matter) for approximately what to expect. The reason the Biopsy upset me so much was because the dermatologist did NOT sufficiently inform me about how it would look, and because the hole or crater to me was done by "man". I may have said this before, so if I'm repeating myself, please excuse me, but somehow, if I had bumped into a wall, or been in a fight, or one of our cats had bit me on the nose, I don't think the outrage and embarassment I felt would have been the same. Course it could also have been simply the realization that I was now dealing with something more than just a stubborn pimple. :-) Anyway, thanks again and barring some terrible emotional upset over the post surgery appearance, I'll post back as soon as I can about how things went. Larry > "jetstar88" <news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message > > Hi, [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > me. Now that I have totally healed, I never even notice them. The healing > process takes time. Be patient with yourself and your body. "jetstar88" <news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message > And I THINK I'm mentally prepared for the way the sore will look for > Course it could also have been simply the realization > that I was now dealing with something more than just a stubborn > pimple. :-) I am going to say a resounding amen to this comment. I remember the first time I was finally able to remove all the bandages from my final surgery (prior to plastic surgery) and look in the mirror. I cried and cried. It finally hit me that I was dealing with 'the big C' (Cancer), and that maybe I could die. Those incision marks brought that reality to the forefront of my mind, like a ton of bricks. This whole 'mental effect' was the driving force for me to have plastic surgery. I wanted to look in the mirror and not see 'cancer'. I know that not all people opt for PS afterward, but for me, it was a great help. -- Take Care, Sharon Lane http://www.rare-cancer.org Had the surgery today and it went very well. It only took one session to get a clean result (no need for additional tissue removal). Somewhere, in that part of the mind that alwasy finds SOMETHING to worry about, I'm wondering if there's a chnace the Biopsy was a false positive, but most of me is relieved and confident I made the right decision to go the Moh's route for surgery. Some pain now, but more like a tightness as if my nose is on too tight rather than any real significant discomfort. Will have a large bandage on till Saturday, and then I can remove it and just change bandaids twice daily. I'll know more about how I feel when I see the actual sore then. For now, am just very relieved that this part is over and that the "iceberg" under the tip that was once on the surface, was not as big as I had feared it could have been in a worst case scenario. I'll have stitches for 2 weeks yet, also, so not expecting miracles on Saturday. Anyway, I'll post back after several day with my progress report. Thank you Sharon for your encouragement. Larry > "jetstar88" <news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message > And I THINK > I'm mentally prepared for the way the sore will look for [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > not see 'cancer'. I know that not all people opt for PS afterward, but for > me, it was a great help. I am glad to hear that it went so well. Sounds like it was a good thing that you chose the MOH's and that you were blessed with being able to find the cancer early. YEAHHHHHH That's very good news. Just be patient with your body's healing process. It takes time, but it will happen. The stitches will feel tighter as it heals. So, you may find that annoying for a little bit. And the day you have them out, you may feel some soreness. But a day later, and a week later, and a month later; this will all feel so much better. I wrote a diary after one of my surgeries just so I would remember how I was feeling. I keep my before and afer pics of my plastic surgery too. I look at those two things now and it seems so surreal to me. My body has healed and my psyche has healed. And yours will too, Larry. -- Take Care, Sharon Lane http://www.rare-cancer.org >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com (jetstar88) >Date: 2/12/2004 >Had the surgery today and it went very well. Good to hear Larry, thanks for the update. Kathy J Hi Kathy and Sharon (and the group), Took off the bandage yesterday and it's a good thing I prepared myself for how it might look----and it's also a good thing Sharon reminded me to hang in there. Always having been a fast healer, I am confident it will look better eventually, maybe even earlier than the 30-60 days figures given by the doctor and here too. But it's got a LONG way to go. Can just barely cover up the inflamed, stitched, reddened front of my nose with two regular sized strip bandaids. Much improved over the Jimmy Durante/Bozo version of bandage I had to wear the 1st 48 hrs, and if you aren't up close, my profile isn't drastically altered, but geez.... 2 weeks at least (now 12 days) before stitches come out, and frankly, I can't see going without a bandage covering the site for at least another week or two beyond that. But i'll hang in there and try to give some updates every so often. Thanks again for your encouragement and for preparing me for the worst so it didn't scare me so much on Saturday as it might have. Larry > >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose > >From: news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com (jetstar88) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Good to hear Larry, thanks for the update. Kathy J "jetstar88" <news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message > Always having been a fast healer, I am confident it will look better eventually, I am a fast healer too, but my body was a little compromised during all the surgeries and treatment. So, the going was a little slower in the healing department. Yours may take a little longer than you expect because there were actually two surgeries involved (the original biopsy and the excisional surgery), one right after the other. I would bet that 6 months from now you are going to feel a whole lot better about how everything looks. I was glad to hear that you have found a sense of acceptance with your body's healing process. And that you even have confidence in it. That's super! Make sure that you stay out of the sun while this is healing. And let us know how thing are going. -- Take Care, Sharon Lane http://www.rare-cancer.org Thanks again both and everyone, and don't worry about me getting in the sun anytime soon. Live in Chicago area and although 40's are expected this week, not exactly tempting sun tan weather. And besides, not much interest in sun worshipping anymore. Not going to be afraid of the sun, but not willing to deliberately soak up as many rays as possible any more. I just worry that its way too late to matter and the writing is on the wall already. :-( I do have what might be a dumb question. Will probably call the doctor's office and pose it to them too, but interested in general consensus here. Am supposed to keep the sore spot bathed in Bacitracin Ointment, and keep bandaids on except when showering. But how strictly does that need to be followed? Not suggesting letting the whole sore be left uncovered or the ointment skipped. Not interested in grossing out family members or co-workers either, so bandaid of SOME kind will remain at least till after stitches are removed. But there is a portion of the sore that extends just past the tip of my nose...below it...and if I covered the rest of the sore and left this part (about a 6th of an inch) uncovered, I could get by with a single band-aid strip, that would make me look more like a football player or someone tough enough to have been in a fight, than like someone who had plastic/cosmetic surgery to "enhance" some feature, for vanity reasons only. So...short version of this question is, as long as I don't leave enough of the sore uncovered to gross people out, am I still complying with the spirit of the doctor's wishes as long as MOST of the sore (about 9/10ths at least) is covered by the single bandaid and the entire sore well covered with the Bacitracin as prescribed. Or... follow instructions to the letter? Obviously I'd like to hear an answer that encourages me to go ahead and wear the smaller bandage, and then probably consult the doctor, but curious what most in the group might do if it were them and leaving that little portion uncovered made the bandage much less attention grabbing. Thanks, Larry > "jetstar88" <news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message > > Always having been a fast healer, I am confident it will look better [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > super! Make sure that you stay out of the sun while this is healing. And > let us know how thing are going. Hi, Just giving a progress report. It's going a little slower than I would like, cause I'm looking in the mirror and zeroing right in on the healing site, so I can't not notice it. But most everyone else that knows about my surgery says its healing very well and very fast from their perspective. There is no pain at all, and except for minor residual swelling and a small scab (which appears as if it will fall off in a few days). Only at the 3 weeks post-surgery mark, so I guess that's pretty good progress. Main thing is I AM glad I chose the Moh's method. Will still worry a little till I'm completely healed (or at lest till that pesky scab goes away), but am confident I chose the right treatment solution for my circumstances. Thanks again for the support and cautions I received. Larry > "jetstar88" <news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com> wrote in message > > Always having been a fast healer, I am confident it will look better [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > super! Make sure that you stay out of the sun while this is healing. And > let us know how thing are going. "jetstar88" wrote in message > Main thing is I AM glad I chose the Moh's method. Will still worry a > little till I'm completely healed (or at lest till that pesky scab > goes away), but am confident I chose the right treatment solution for > my circumstances. Larry, I am so glad to hear that you feel this way, post op. It always feels good when we know that we made the right decision. Makes our cancer journey a little easier on us. I know what you mean about focusing on the spot in the mirror. I did the same, for a while. The scars lessened, and my focus on them lessened, and one day I was looking in the mirror and realized I had not even looked at them in a very long time. And I chuckled to myself. Life went on...... Take Care, Sharon >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com (jetstar88) >Date: 3/4/2004 >Just giving a progress report. >Main thing is I AM glad I chose the Moh's method. Will still worry a >little till I'm completely healed (or at lest till that pesky scab >goes away), but am confident I chose the right treatment solution for >my circumstances. >Thanks again for the support and cautions I received. > >Larry Great news Larry, thanks for the update. This last time, I was prescribed something called Efudex. Word is, it's going to be a popular treatment of the baby boomers who's basal cell numbers are growing. Gives new meaning to the phrase "dropping acid" LOL Kathy J "Tm n Kat" <tmnkat@aol.com> wrote in message > Great news Larry, thanks for the update. This last time, I was prescribed > something called Efudex. Word is, it's going to be a popular treatment of the > baby boomers who's basal cell numbers are growing. Gives new meaning to the > phrase "dropping acid" LOL Kathy J And we baby boomers certainly remember those days. Who would have thought that so many years down the road, we would have a whole new experience with 'acid'. LOL Take Care, Sharon > >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose > >From: news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com (jetstar88) [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > baby boomers who's basal cell numbers are growing. Gives new meaning to the > phrase "dropping acid" LOL Kathy J Unfortunately, Efudix is just temporisation, it only puts off definitive treatment, but doesn't replace it >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island >Date: 3/5/2004 >Unfortunately, Efudix is just temporisation, it only puts off definitive >treatment, but doesn't replace it Steph, are you saying that if the Efudix clears up my "spot" it will probably return and I will eventually need different treatment or am I misunderstanding? Kathy > >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose > >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > return and I will eventually need different treatment or am I misunderstanding? > Kathy Not "probably", "definitely" >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island >Date: 3/6/2004 >> Steph, are you saying that if the Efudix clears up my "spot" it will >probably [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Not "probably", "definitely" Then how can the claim be "demonstrated a 93% cure rate for superficial BCC"? Kathy > >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose > >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Then how can the claim be "demonstrated a 93% cure rate for superficial BCC"? > Kathy Who claimed that? >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >Who claimed that? It was on the informational sheet with the solution. Also, here are some links. http://www.valeant.com/Products/Dermatology/efudex.html http://www.ctclconsult.com/pdrdruginfo/html/38600400.htm > >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose > >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > http://www.valeant.com/Products/Dermatology/efudex.html > http://www.ctclconsult.com/pdrdruginfo/html/38600400.htm Response rate, maybe. The figures they claim for cure of bcc are nonsense. It may be an acceptable treatment for AK's however >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island >Date: 3/8/2004 >Response rate, maybe. >The figures they claim for cure of bcc are nonsense. It may be an acceptable >treatment for AK's however Thanks Steph, I value your opinion. Was surprised to read the claims myself because I had never heard of the drug until it was prescribed to me this last time. Kind of puzzled too if it is working or not or even if I am applying correctly. The instructions just says "apply", not how much (sparingly, liberally) or how many drops. Although my spot is fading some, I have not gotten the deteriorating sore skin reactions that I was told to expect. Have a follow-up appt on 04/08 but wondering if I should put a call in before that time. Kathy J > >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose > >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > appt on 04/08 but wondering if I should put a call in before that time. Kathy > J Sorry, Kathy, I don't use it - just treat the failures! My patients tell me the skin does get sore, however >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: "Steph" steph@vancouver.island >Date: 3/9/2004 >Sorry, Kathy, I don't use it - just treat the failures! >My patients tell me the skin does get sore, however Maybe its a blessing in disguise. Called my PS office and told them that somethings not right so they bumped my return appt up to next week. Heard a new study in mice linking elevated iron levels and skin cancers. It's a long way from mice to men but interesting theory none the less. Kathy J >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com (jetstar88) >Date: 2/15/2004 >Thanks again for your encouragement and for preparing me for the worst >so it didn't scare me so much on Saturday as it might have. > >Larry Wishing you good healing and no new spots. Kathy J >Subject: Re: Mohs vs incision to remove squamous on nose >From: news.20.1988@spamgourmet.com (jetstar88) >Date: 2/10/2004 >It's just that I am really >not pleased at all with the man-made cleft I now have on my nose as a >result of the Biopsy, and, so I'm looking not just to minimize further >damage, but some improvement or repair of that site. My biopsy's were the same way. Wish I could skip them completely but insurance won't allow that. I lost a lot of dearly missed and unreplaceable hair follicles from my scalp to one. Other than that, the scars have greatly improved over time. Hope all goes well and will be hearing from you soon. Kathy J > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Thank you to everyone that replied so far, and I'll try to post back > after my surgery with my experiences. No you don't need repair work after RT. It does the eradicating of the cancer, your "wisdom of the body" does the rest > Steph, > > Where would I look for objective information on radiotherapy? well, I'd try a radiation oncologist |
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