Basal Cell Growth Removal

[Pamk1949]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with PCA/GCA in October, with 7 amaurosis fugax incidents (which I have not experienced anymore since mid November. I am currently tapering prednisone, right now it’s 35 mg., down from 100. I recently visited a dermatologist here in Miami, who found a basal cell growth on my neck. She told me that basal cell is the slowest growing of the skin cancers, and Mohs Surgery would be the best treatment to remove this growth. I visited the Mohs surgeon, who told be that surgery would be no problem with my GCA. I am presently packing up/ moving after 20 years to North Carolina, and it’s stressful. My question is should I go ahead and get this surgery done now while on a higher dose, or wait. (I read where it can wait 2 months). It’s on my neck, and will need some stitches. I know stress can cause flares, and worried about having one of those!

[Soraya_PMR]

My gut reaction would be to get it removed and reduce your worry by one thing.

I can’t see that in 2 months you are going to be a LOT lower with dosage of pred, particularly if you are moving house (not a great time to consider reducing).

You have masses of free pred in your system to cope with the stress of the operation. Although it shouldn’t cause too much stress, only relatively superficial issue (as regards tissues, not a body cavity) I’m not meaning to undermine your worry by saying ‘superficial’. I don’t mean it that way. I’m quite sure that it is distressing to be told you have BCC. But it is a slow grower, and rarely invades. Get shot of the little bug***!!!

[Pamk1949 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Thanks Soraya, you’re right ...one less thing. And, I do have lots of prednisone in my system. I’m going to do this!

[SheffieldJane]

You are in one of those life situations where stress just can’t be avoided. I would want the skin cancer removed ASAP it would worry me more being there. Is there any other way you can reduce stress. Like postponing your move?

I know people up their dose a little when they have operations but as you are on a high dose anyway, I would check with the surgeon.

I hope your move is a happy thing in your life and that everything goes well for you.

[Pamk1949 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you SheffieldJane! Can’t postpone the move, but it’s a happy one. I was more worried about a GCA flare rather than the cancer, but I’m going to go through with this.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pamk1949]

I am glad it is a happy move! That should help everything, delegate, delegate, delegate.

If you begin to get GCA symptoms post op. You will know what to do, just up your dose a bit. Let us know how everything goes. North Carolina sounds romantic to me here in Yorkshire, UK.

[Jillandian in reply to SheffieldJane]

Lol SheffieldJane, I came from Sheffield. Now live in Nova Scotia Canada. I read Diane Chamberlaine books they are based around the Carolinas and always sound wonderful.

I am new to all this and had my biopsy on Friday for GCA. Results next Thursday. I am at the stage now where the stitches are starting to itch so I am thinking the incision must be healing. Hope everyone is coping well xxxx

[SheffieldJane in reply to Jillandian]

Hello Jillandian! You can take the girl out of Sheffield but you can’t take Sheffield out of the girl.

I bet it’s a bit nippy where you are and devastatingly beautiful.

Glad you are healing up nicely. Keep in touch.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pamk1949]

We will be thinking of you and I’m sure it will go well.

My son in law is a doctor in Australia and he does skin cancer operations most weeks, just in an ordinary surgery. I guess it’s so common there it’s almost routine.

You have North Carolina beckoning. All will be well.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You might find this interesting:

realself.com/question/long-...

But ultimately it is a decision to be made between you and your dermatologist.

[Pamk1949 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes very interesting. Don’t want to take a chance with guessing how fast it will grow. I didn’t want to do this but it will be done next week. Thanks PMRpro for your response and the article!

[Hidden]

I had a base cell removed from tip of nose Sept 2016 just 2 months later diagnosed with PMR/GCA. Had PMR symptons all summer and wondered if the stress triggered the GCA. Now have another one! This time on side of nose. Mm Dr keeps writing to get it removed as now 7mm and on the side of mt nose. Hoping it won't cause a flare so good question.

[Pamk1949 in reply to Hidden]

We have the same worries. I guess there is really no choice however. I’m going to go ahead next week. Will keep you posted. Hope everything is ok with yours. Thanks rlake!

[Loriel]

Hi, Of course you should have the surgery now. You have a surgeon who has given you the green light to go ahead. If you wait then you have to start the whole process again. You've gone this far, for what, to wait till you move. You'll be wiped out after a move and of you have a flare up, then your dose of pred will probably go up again.

Hope this helps you with your decision.

[Pamk1949 in reply to Loriel]

Loriel, you are absolutely right. I worry about a flare (haven’t had one yet). But best to do this while on a higher dose. This forum is great, thanks again Loriel!

[_Lori-el in reply to Pamk1949]

Hi Pkleiss, Hope I wasn't too hung-ho for you. I am the sort of person who once everything is weighed up I don't sit on it otherwise I start questioning myself too much.

So far so good living like that. I've never had anyone to rely on and so have always had to make the hard decisions. I don't take things lightly when it's something like this.

Just sounded to me like everything was in place for you to go ahead and I know what it's like to not have someone with a clear view on hand.

I'm glad I could help you at such a time.

[Jillandian]

I hope, everything will go well for you xxxx