For the past 4 months, I have had some problems with a relatively small mole on my forehead. It will partially scab, then the scab will fall off leaving a small indentation. Each time, it would do this, the indentation would get deeper. So today, I saw my dermatologist. The likely scenario is that it is Basal Cell Carcinoma. He took a biopsy and I should know the results tomorrow or Friday.
Please pray for good results. As a nurse, I know that Basal Cell Carcinoma is the easiest to treat and is the least likely to reoccur. The treatment for me will most likely be what is called Moh's surgery. This technique, applicable to lesions primarily on the face, seeks to conserve the amount of tissue removed in skin cancer resection. In this special procedure, the skin cancer is shaved off layer by layer and evaluated immediately under the microscope to differentiate the abnormal cells from the normal tissue at the periphery. Moh's surgery assures that all cancerous cells are removed (approximately 99% certainty), and that normal skin is left behind, thereby minimizing the size of any facial defect that needs to be reconstructed. Hopefully mine is not deep and will not require extensive treatment.
My advice is to keep an eye on all your moles. Don't delay in seeking advice from your physician or if you're lucky like me to personally know a dermatologist, go see him/her.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Approximately 80% of skin cancers are found in the sun-exposed areas of the face, scalp, neck and ears.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common, yet least dangerous, of all skin cancers, often appearing as a pearly, small pimple with broken capillaries on its surface. This is what mine looked like. Not like a typical dark mole. The only difference is that mine didn't have the broken capillaries on the surface which hopefully means that I caught mine early. It can grow deeply beneath the skin into the underlying bone, tissue or cartilage if left untreated.
Also common in sun-exposed areas is squamous cell carcinoma, appearing early as a reddish, crusty lesion. It can invade deeper tissues or, in rare instances, spread to lymph nodes or internal organs if not recognized early.
The most serous form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, often arising from a previously benign brownish spot or mole. It is curable if treated early but can be fatal if allowed to spread throughout the body.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common, yet least dangerous, of all skin cancers, often appearing as a pearly, small pimple with broken capillaries on its surface. This is what mine looked like. Not like a typical dark mole. The only difference is that mine didn't have the broken capillaries on the surface which hopefully means that I caught mine early. It can grow deeply beneath the skin into the underlying bone, tissue or cartilage if left untreated.
Also common in sun-exposed areas is squamous cell carcinoma, appearing early as a reddish, crusty lesion. It can invade deeper tissues or, in rare instances, spread to lymph nodes or internal organs if not recognized early.
The most serous form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, often arising from a previously benign brownish spot or mole. It is curable if treated early but can be fatal if allowed to spread throughout the body.
As a nurse, my best advice is wear sun screen and a hat, even on cloudy days. Stay away from tanning beds and keep an eye on your skin. I think maybe I might go shopping for some new summer hats.
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