What type of skin cancer is it?

[Annsandra13]

We have just been told my daughter has skin cancer in 3 areas, on her shoulder, chest and back, it is non melanoma we think, how do they decide if it is basal cell or squamous cell.

She hasn’t seen a consultant yet but early stage skin doctor says the one on her shoulder requires biopsy and radiation therapy she thinks, the one on her chest is no healing at the moment and is inflamed, the smaller on on her back is lower down.

They have recommended she waits for an apt. In the coming month to let the lesion on her chest heal a little more.

Any advice at this stage would be gratefully received as wondering if we need to move faster and what is ahead for her.

[PMRpro]

What type of ca it is is decided by appearance and histopathology - they look at cells under a microscope.

This is a pretty reliable summary

webmd.com/melanoma-skin-can...

Are you in the UK? Most cancer referrals are seen within a short time - and going privately probably wouldn't help you a lot as although a diagnosis might be a bit quicker the treatment woud still likely be through the NHS (or cost a great deal). If the person who advised you to wait for an appointment is a dermy they do know what they are talking about.

[Annsandra13 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your quick reply, it’s much appreciated we only had the diagnosis yesterday so still getting our head around it, it was a skin doctor who visited her doctors surgery, they have referred her as an urgent appointment but said it could be a few months, hence wondering about a second opinion from a private consultant.

She had been twice to the doctors who had given her ointment and said she wasn’t worried about it. But when I saw thevlesions recently I asked her to be referred.

She has had them for about a year but the one on her chest is quite red and angry so she was told to let that dry out and stop using the ointment.

Thank you again will keep you updated.

[AndrewT]

Dear Annasandra13,

Can I ask a few questions, about your Daughter, before I answer you please? Firstly What 'Kind' of Autonomic/ Vascular Disease does she have? Secondly does she have a 'History' of Carcinoma? Has she ever been Told, that she, has a 'Definite Chance' of Cancer- maybe due to Immuno-Suppression, or similar. Indeed has she had Cancer before? I'm a little Confused, I'll admit, You say that her Chest Lesion is Not healing....Then, you say the Consultant is Waiting For It To Heal....or did I read that wrong?

You don't say where you are 'From', not that that matters too much....unless you are in a Country that has a 'Vastly' different Health Care System, to the UK.

Sorry for all the questions Annasandra, I know that, these 'Things' can seem to Take Forever. I DO wish your Daughter well, I know that we ALL do.

Kind Wishes

AndrewT

[Lisalou19]

Hello there,

I don't have any information to offer you.

I just felt to say, this must be very overwhelming for you all and that I am thinking of you at such a stressful time.

xxx

[Annsandra13 in reply to Lisalou19]

Thank you so kind to reply hope you are doing well xx

[AmyS1]

Nb in the UK there are very strict rules re suspected cancer. There is the 2 week rule which all doctors know. You should not accept might be seen in a few months. The nhs treats cancers quickly but be on the case remind all the health professionals re this rule.

[judyann]

Hi. How can anyone tell you what treatment your daughter needs without a biopsy? I’ve had at least 7 basal cells and they didn’t know until biopsies. Did they do them yet? Mine were pretty easy to remove.

[Annsandra13 in reply to judyann]

Thank you, it seemed strange that she would tell my daughter it was skin cancer and that she would need biopsy and radiation treatment.

I am wondering if you went to a clinic specialising in skin cancer or to the dermatology department at the hospital? Did you have mohans procedure.

I had basal carcinoma with mohans procedure in New Zealand 10 years ago and got over it well with no further problems

So I hope you do not have any more problems.

Thank you again for your kind reply.

Ann xx

[Annsandra13]

Thank you for such lovely support at a difficult time for us, it is only 2 days since the dr a dermatologist told my daughter it was appearing to be cancer and that she would need a biopsy and possibly radiation therapy, as it is a little bit too large she says it is on her shoulder? the one lower on her back is much smaller.

she seemed unsure about the lesion on her chest that the ointment she had been prescribed had not been working and gave her another type of ointment to use and couldn’t be sure what it is!

She was put through as an urgent case and we found out that the consultant at the hospital will look at it and we would receive a phone call or letter with an appointment.

It’s good to know this is likely to be in the next 2 weeks.

My thoughts are that it would be better to have an appointment at a dermatology clinic specialising in skin cancers, than in a general dermatology department?

My daughter is 44, and she wonders if she is young to have skin cancer caused by sun damage.

I so appreciate all your messages thank you.

Kind regards

Ann