So, I'm 5 years in. Haven't had any interventions yet because I feel as good and fit as ever. Thing is, a 2cm x 1 cm, very unusual, scabby, bleeding, red/pinkish/brown "thing" has emerged on my chest, right down the sternum, over the past couple of months. I went to see my GP yesterday and she's "very concerned" and has arranged for an urgent biopsy. I've read that, for patients will CLL, the most prevalent secondary cancer that emerges is skin cancer. Just wondering if anybody out there has developed skin cancer as a secondary cancer to CLL and how you're doing.
Thank You, Everyone. And the best of health to you all in 2025.
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Mariah33
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I have had CLL 18 years. Remission 6. I had one squamous & one basal cell removed 7 months apart with Mohs 2 years ago. Anyone can get pre cancerous or skin cancers. I know so many people without CLL that have so many removed & one with Merkel Skin cancer. I know a lot of hematologist & studies suggest we are more likely to get skin cancers but if you asked 100 CLLers & 100 without, I bet it could be very similar results. Good to get it checked. I live in Florida & my hematologist never mentioned skin cancer. I get a body scan twice a year.
I have been on W&W for mma y years with no symptoms. I have had small skin cancers removed on my face, back and arms with good recovery from all. Best of luck.
Hi Neil and thank you so much for forwarding that link. Wow! (Clearly, I need to learn how to better navigate this site.) There's so much to learn and everyone here is so amazing. Thanks again Neil and all the best.
I’ve had several lesions (melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma). As Neil said address any abnormal lesion promptly . I was seen every 6 months (now every 4) and had a squamous cell pop up several weeks after one of the screening appointments. I waited 2 weeks for it to resolve and then sought care immediately thereafter. A simple excision solved it; had I waited longer a more complex procedure would have been required, not to mention the risk of metastasis.
Thank you so very much for your reply, cmh55. I have learned more about CLL from the amazing people on this site than I ever have from my GP or haematologist. Thanks again and all the best to you.
Hi Mariah. I certainly have! I’ve had CLL for 24 years and, during that time, I’ve had about 60 skin cancers dealt with. I now see a dermatologist 3 times a year to keep on top of it.
I’ve had three chest lesions removed - two BCCs and a keratoacantoma. They are not life-threatening in themselves but do need to be removed. The procedure is quick and simple - the worst part is the anaesthetic injection!
I’ve had about a dozen basal and squamous lesions removed over the decade that I have lived with cll. They have occurred mainly on my face, lips, hands and legs - places where sun damage and cll have combined to cause these secondary cancers.
Luckily, I have a very aggressive dermatologist whom I see every 3-4 months. She immediately freezes anything that looks suspicious and follows up by cutting out anything that recurs or progresses. Since I have been on Acalabrutinib these last 4 years, the number of new lesions have been minimal.
As long as you have regular visits with a dermatologist and also undertake regular self-checks of your skin, these cancers are generally not a major concern - it just comes with the “territory”
yes - I had a pimply thing on my head that turned out to be an unusual skin cancer called pleomorphic dermal sarcoma. I had it removed but after almost a year, it metastasized into my lung. I'm being successfully treated for that right now with an immunotherapy and with the mighty hand of God.
Here's my advice to you - you are where you are so don't spend too much time thinking about anything other than getting treated quickly by a top notch dermatologist and research your options. Here in the States, the medical community is overloaded with all of us old baby boomers so you need to fight to get things done quickly. Advocate for yourself.
We are all at high risk for skin cancers, which are more frequent, and more aggressive than in the average population.
It is crucial that we take precautions, and have frequent evaluations because early diagnosis and treatment are critical. If these go on diagnosed and treated, they can metastasize and cause all sorts of horrible problems.
I am an orthopedic surgeon, so it would be unusual for me to be the first to diagnose skin cancers, but I have had patients Come to the ER with things that were thought to be injuries to bone or muscle, but turned out to be metastatic skin cancers, and in several cases were widely metastatic and the patient did not survive long.
I don't want to be an alarmist or scare you, but I just want to urge you to be careful, and diligent in prevention, and early detection.
Unfortunately, my doctors didn't tell me about this for the first five years.
Right after starting my first chemo therapy in 2018 I have developed approximately 15 or 16 squamous cell carcinomas and one melanoma.
Now I avoid peak son, cover up, and my dermatologist that specializes in skin cancer blue lizard sunscreen. It contains both aluminum and titanium oxide.
I also see my Dermatologist every 2 to four months for a very, very thorough whole body skin evaluation.
Also, if anything new comes up on my skin anywhere he asked me to come in to take a look.
Hi Skipro and thank you so much for your very detailed, thoughtful and heartfelt reply. I am so very sorry to hear about all you’ve been through. Hopefully, as you are a specialist yourself, you’re able to surround yourself with the best of the best to work alongside you through this journey. You’re reply was very helpful to me and I wish you all the blessings your heart can hold in 2025 - and beyond.🌷
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