Passing Mile #7 with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

When visiting me here remember that this is an extreme situation of Basal Cell.
I neglected to let the small voice in my head seek out different doctors. Professionals that could get through to me how this is a type of skin cancer. Whatever the name given by the diagnosis, Gorlin, bccns, basal cell carcinoma are all kindred beasts that do not go into hibernation or go away. They must be removed and watched diligently.

The plan is as follows. I am currently going through Mohs surgeries to get rid of the larger tumors on my face and head. The surgeon will then be excising the smaller ones on my neck, shoulders and torso. After which he will be using laser therapy to treat the smaller flesh tone tumors on my face and neck. He will be removing the tumors on my eyelids as well. I will be meeting with an eye specialist regarding the reconstruction of my eyelids. On the positive side of this is I will be getting a brow lift and eye work done courtesy of my cancer and should come out of this looking 10 years younger. We are still not clear whether I will then do a topical treatment and/or oral chemotherapy.

WARNING PHOTOS OF MILE #7 ARE GRAPHIC

Mile #3 & #4

At the surgeon's office for Mile #7 the doctor and his nurse check out the progress on my previous surgery sites.  Mile #3 And #4 (on the right) has excellent skin regrowth and according to the surgeon could be naked during the day.  My cheek is naked except when I am sleeping. The new skin there gets agitated when rubbed against the pillowcase. 




Mile #6

Mile #6 (on the left) is gellin and healing great.

Mile #7 takes over where Mile #3 left off. The surgeon will be working towards the crown of my head. The nurse and I now place friendly wagers as to how far the cancer goes. We both predict the edge towards my ear will not be cancer free. The nurse and I are split on the outcome of the top and back sides. The front of Mile #7 should meet with Mile #3.

Mile #7 before

Mile #7 starts of with an irregular oval shaped mass. It is sunken in the middle. This tumor appeared clear all around. The deception of the photograph is evident in the end result. This surgery took 4 stages. The nurse and I are both incorrect in our wager. The cancer areas met but went clear at the site of Mile #3. Shocking to all parties is the fact that all other edges came back clean. It is hard to tell but the indented area in the before picture is indeed the deepest the cancer has grown so far.

Mile #7 After

This wound was left open like the others. I will have to keep the entire area covered. The skin on the previous surgery site is too new and will pull off with tape. Loosing skin to tape will add to scarring.

A few people have asked me about the stage and grade of my cancer. I had not previously asked my doctors this question. This visit I am told basal cell cancer tumors are not staged or graded at this point. There are people like me with very extensive tumors. Some have tumors in their brain linked to this condition. These persons like myself are not the norm for  basal cell cancers. Over 98% of basal cell tumors are still considered localized and do not spread.

Following is my understanding of how basal cell tumors are categorized based on discussions with the medical staff at my doctors.  You should do your own research in case I misspeak.

They can be Nodular. This is the classic basal cell carcinoma. Nodular and noduloulcerative basal cell carcinomas account for approximately 75 percent of all basal cell carcinomas. These are small firm masses of tissue. They are usually limited to the top layer of skin tissue. Inflamed red blood vessels and capillaries are a frequent sign of nodular basal cell carcinoma. They are found mostly in sun exposed areas of the head and neck. On a noduloulcerative basal cell carcinoma, the center is caved in a bit and appears "scabby."

They can be Infiltrative. This is basal cell that is usually smaller on the surface and goes deep into the various layers of the skin tissue. These types of basal cell tumors can be anywhere on the body. They tend to act like a pimple or mole that bleeds every so often then almost disappears to come back again at a later date.

They can be Morpheaform. This basal cell carcinoma can be very aggressive and difficult to treat due it's lack of clear margins. Mohs surgery is a preferred treatment method followed by a topical adjutant treatment. Morpheaform tumors appear as a white or yellow, waxy, sclerotic plaque that rarely ulcerates, and sometimes con caves (depression). The morpheaform will often go untreated and unrecognized as a potential danger by the patient and is a subtype of BCC that is the most difficult subtype to diagnose.

And lastly they can be Recurrent. This basal cell comes back in the same spot repeatedly.

Having Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome, I personally have all 4 types.  Lucky Me!

So Mile #7 is behind me.

I still want to shave my head. My husband has vetoed that thus far. I shall see what tomorrow brings.

Take away nugget:    Goals create Challenges and Challenges create Goals