I've had 35 surgeries for BCC, 1 for SCC and 1 for in situ melanoma. Most of the
Basals were done with scraping and cauterizing but the four on my face were done
with MOHS. I had one over each eyebrow, one on my cheek near the ear and one on
my face beside my nose and down almost to my lip. I have round white scars where
the scraping was done and the 4 MOHS are invisible. If you're concerned about
scarring I suggest you go with the MOHS. The cutting and pathology done a bit at
a time is to take only as much tissue as necessary to remove all the basal
cells. The regular surgery is just a wide excision and leaves a bigger scar. The
MOHS area will look awful when it's first done. I had swelling, redness and
black stitches and a black eye. I thought I was maimed for life but within a few
months you could barely see where it was done. I would strongly advise you not
to use black salve or any other home type remedy as the biopsy on the tissues is
very
important in telling the surgeon how much he needs to remove and whether he's
dealing with a BCC or a SCC.
Good luck!



----- Original Message ----
From: stealurheart1234 <stealurheart1234@...>
To: fighttogether@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 5, 2007 12:55:48 PM
Subject: [fight together] Treating Basal cell carcinoma

Wondering if anyone has heard of any treatments for basal cell
carcinoma, invasive type other than MOHS. The doctor is calling for
surgery and can't tell me any tests that will tell how far its gone.
Basically its cut a bit and see then cut more if needed. I'm terrified
that could mean disfigurement. The place is on my cheek but there is
another place they are bioposying that is on my nose.

So I'm looking for any ways they can tell how far its spread and any
ways of stopping it or shrinking it so there is less damage done.

Any ideas?




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