Squamous Cell Carcinoma

I was just diagnosed with cancer. The area is on my lower leg. It hasn't spread internally. I'll be seeing a plastic surgeon soon, and I've been reassured that they handle cancers like this all the time. My family doc ,who handled the biopsy, is very concerned about this area healing completely once the cancer is removed. Does anybody know if that'll be a problem? Also, the Internet is loaded with "cures." Does anyone know about raspberry cream. Thanks.
Debbie

You mention it is on you lower leg so it must be
a skin lesion that was removed. I work for a dermatologist. There are basically three main types of skin cancer, the most common is Basal Cell Carcinoma, then Squamous Cell Carcinoma and
Malignant Melanoma. By it's name of course malignant melanoma is the most serious as it will
metastisize to other parts of the body if given the chance. Squamous Cell Carcinoma's must be
treated as they have the potential to spread if
left untreated. Usually complete surgical removal and proper healing of the wound is all that is needed along with follow up's with your
doctor to make sure there is no evidence of return. Also, once one has a tendency to develop a skin cancer they have the propensity
to develop more so it's important that you go
for at least yearly check ups, sooner if you find
something questionable. There is a prescription
cream, Aldara & Efudex that is currently being
used to treat pre-cancerous skin lesions such as
actinic keratoses but it is very potent and it
works by removing layers of skin down to a new
layer of undamaged skin. For healing of a surgical wound Aquaphor healing ointment which is
over the counter is good, if there is any sign of
infection there are antibiotic healing ointments
as well as oral antibiotics that can be taken.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the info. You must really see it all in your work. The area on my leg was only biopsied so far. Ten years ago the area came back totally clean. It's strange how it became cancerous. I'm glad it got so ugly. I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. This is scary to me. It's my first brush with cancer. I appreciate that you took the time to write.

Hello,
Unfortunately I have the same cancer that you do. I went tanning a lot in my 20's and I have paid a high price at the age of 32. I have had over 20 cancer spots on me. It is the most dangerous on your face. You should have someone in dermatolgy who is a cancer specialist remove the spot. They remove a small area and test each sample they take out until they have determined they have gotten all of the cancer. You stay awake for the procedure, which I wasn't too thrilled about.

My friend recently went in for a spot on his back and had a plastic surgeon remove the area, and he ended up going in again because the area they removed did not get all of the cancer. I was lucky on my second operation that I had a cancer specialist and then the following morning the plastic surgeon worked his magic on me.

I suggest getting it removed sooner than later because the cancer grows and spreads. I have used the creams mentioned and they do work, although I currently was told for 2 of my spots it didn't and once again I would be going in again.

You should get checked by a dermatologist every 6 months, sometimes you think a spot is nothing until they look at it.

Hello! Glad to find your msg as I also have been tanning for years and thought it would never happen to me. I just had the MOHS surgery and unfortunately it was on my face. I am trying to find others in our situation to see if anyone can recommend an ointment or cream that may help the scar to fade. My Dr ofc did not have any suggestions. Would appreciate anything anyone can advise. Thanks!!

Hello! I see you work in a dermotologists ofc so I am wondering if you can answer a ? for me? Do any of the patients come in and say they used an ointment or cream that they felt helped minimize a scar? I recently had Mohs surgery on my face and I am concerned about scaring. I know there will be some but hope to find something that may help. Thanks a lot! Chris

I had a very large SCC removed from my temple. Unless I point it out, most people don't even notice my scar. The tumor itself was 3 1/2cm x 5mm so the section they actually took was very large(to allow a good margin). I used my plastic surgeon in conjunction with a dermatologist. He made his cuts in a way that they fit together nicely after the tumor was removed. I also used mederma after it had healed a bit and it seemed to work very well for me. Hope the suggestion is not too late. Good Luck.