posted
Okay -- so I'm undergoing laser treamtent to remove some ill advised tattoos from a long time ago... I got what appeared to be a blister or scar forming after one tx, and it got itchy and annoying so I had it removed.
Today, I went in for a routine derm. appt, and was told they had been trying to reach me for some tome... (I just moved) --- apparently the growth biopsy showed it was cancerous -- squamous cell carcinoma. This is generally very treatable, and I had a big chunk of my neck excised today (like 2 square inches, and an inch deep.)-- but it can metastisize in certain stiuations. It is rare for it to metastisize unless left untreated, appearing on the lip (mine was on the back of the neck) --- or (gasp!) appearing in immunocompromised people. That last bit scares me.
So, I'm awaiting what's to come -- the results of today's biopsy, a chat with my llnp, etc. before freaking out any more.
But, dude, I just had CANCER. I know it is a really treatable cancer, but still... it was cancer. I'm like a big walking risk factor for skin cancer, actually --- blonde, blue eyed, grew up in the 80s and tanned like crazy without sunscreen... so I'm not surpirsed this happenend.
Makes me want to go run out and get a full women's health appt, though, and get second opionions on all my skin stuff....
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Minimonkey,
I am sure most of us who grew up without sunscreen are at risk for skin cancer.
My mom had a spot removed from her nose last year that was skin cancer too.
I still have to remind her to use sunscreen.
I remember the days (late 60's and early 70's) when our family vacation was to Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
I too, am blond haired with light blue eyes.
My forehead would get so sunburned it would blister.
Lovely, huh?
I am praying for you that this is a one time occurence and that you are doing well following the surgery.
Glad you caught it.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Artemisia was efefctive for metastatic melanoma when a doc tried it with end stage melanoma- may want to take a course just to see if it helps with this- not prescription and has many anti-cancer properties!!!!!!!!!!!! And treats Babesiosis-!!! Can't get better than that*)!
1: Oncol Rep. 2005 Dec;14(6):1599-603. Links
Artesunate in the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma--first experiences.
Berger TG, Dieckmann D, Efferth T, Schultz ES, Funk JO, Baur A, Schuler G. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. [email protected]
Artesunate (ART) is a derivative of artemisinin, the active principle of the Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. Artesunate is approved for the treatment of multidrug-resistant malaria and has an excellent safety profile.
It has been shown that Artesunate, apart from its anti-malarial activity, has cytotoxic effects on a number of human cancer cell lines, including leukemia, colon cancer and melanoma.
We report on the first long-term treatment of two cancer patients with ART in combination with standard chemotherapy.
These patients with metastatic uveal melanoma were treated on a compassionate-use basis, after standard chemotherapy alone was ineffective in stopping tumor growth.
The therapy-regimen was well tolerated with no additional side effects other than those caused by standard chemotherapy alone.
One patient experienced a temporary response after the addition of ART to Fotemustine while the disease was progressing under therapy with Fotemustine alone.
The second patient first experienced a stabilization of the disease after the addition of ART to Dacarbazine, followed by objective regressions of splenic and lung metastases. This patient is still alive 47 months after first diagnosis of stage IV uveal melanoma, a situation with a median survival of 2-5 months.
Despite the small number of treated patients, ART might be a promising adjuvant drug for the treatment of melanoma and possibly other tumors in combination with standard chemotherapy.
Its good tolerability and lack of serious side effects will facilitate prospective randomized trials in the near future.
PMID: 16273263
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I had cancer too on my nose Squamus Cell Carcinoma type as you...almost 3 years ago.... I visit the dermatologist on a yearly basis...for check ups!
Posts: 983 | From The sky | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
My mom grew up in Florida, got burned multiple times (it's the burning that causes the risk, getting some sun recently has been shown to reduce skin cancer risk), and has had over 50 carcinomas removed over the years, none of them were any more serious than having it cut/frozen off.
Hubby had one at age 30 ... we were upset because he was so young ... now he's 45 and is just getting a second possible one.
If it were a melanoma, I'd be worried. Always get changes in your skin checked out immediately!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
I wouldn't worry too much about it, it is likely that they just removed it all. You should have regular checkups though from now on to make sure none comes back. A good friend of mine has squamous cell carcinoma and has chunks removed every now and then. It's never spread because of the regular check ups. Hopefully the surrounding tissue is ok, and you will know more when the biopsy comes back. I know its scary, but it was hopefully already all removed. Good luck!
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posted
monkey, sorry to read this, but glad they took the needed things to be done.
praying you'll get GOOD NEWS after they examine the tissue etc. praying you can get some quality time with family who can take yur mind off this for now. prayers headed yur way.
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posted
Thanks, guys -- truly I appreciate the support!
I'm actually doing artemisinin for babs already.
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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liz28
Unregistered
posted
Yeah, I had that a couple of years ago, too. Apparently, the surgery is now routine. As many people said, you are not alone in this one.
As an immune-compromised person, you can demand Mohs surgery, which cuts out significantly less of a chunk, but which insurance companies don't like because it costs more.
Here's a sunscreen story that might interest you. The substance in question, mexoryl, is now legal in the United States:
However, it is only sold at SPF 15, so you might want to check out the Canadian version, which has an SPF 60 that combines mexoryl, Parsol, and titanium dioxide:
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