basal cell carcinoma... got it (?)... who knows what then?

Some of you know me, now I’m onto another stepping stone and just pondering stuff! If anyone can help, that woud be good.

I'm trying to get information " not www info, people info. Have copied from another thread so there’s a little background (ack) but I needed to write it down as that thread won’t be seen.

It's been a sickly coupla weeks.

had mri - good news is, no surgery before Christmas - inflamed tendon which is why I struggle to walk properly and big toot has crossed over top of 2nd toot -

not so good, being a pain whus, is ultrasound guided steroid injection into the tendon this Tuesday. Not looking forward to that. Tulip is taking me to the hospital, won't be driving. Not so bad, just, not so good.

Last Friday - bad sinusitis, doctors, poorly, antibiotics

Tuesday - reacted to antibiotics, new antibiotics - whilst I was there, I asked the doc to take a look at some lesions that I have.... not nasty things... just.... lesion type things - more had been appearing. She got an urgent referral... so...... 3 days later....

Today

It got more sickly today.

Little c.... not big C - basal cell carcinoma... sounds scarier than it is... skin cancer.... one could hardly call me a sun worshipper... mmmmmmmmm.... what's that all about then. Sheeesh... I don't even really like the heat leave alone ever lay on a beach, leave alone am never usually warm enough to wear anything but long sleeved shirts and bloody fleeces for goodness sake. Hey ho!

anyhoo... I have a few lesions - chest and back - they are appearing rather more rapidly than in the past.... come and go... and the moment, more appearing. Could be the Lupus (SLE) - now crossing the boundaries with DLE... Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a disease of the skin causing atrophy, scarring and photosensitivity. It has sometimes been called chronic lupus erythematosis. It has features in common with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but the latter is, as its name implies, a systemic disease that affects many internal organs. SLE has sometimes been called disseminated lupus erythematosus but this terms is less apt and as it may also be abbreviated to DLE, it is best avoided.

Lupus is the Latin word for wolf, and it implies that the lesion resembles a wolf's bite. The term was originally used for lupus vulgaris that is cutaneous tuberculosis.

Epidemiology

The prevalence is between 17 and 48 per 100,000 people. Women are affected about twice as often as men, compared with 10 times the frequency for SLE. The usual age of onset is between 20 and 40 years, which is about 20 years younger than SLE.
Presentation

* The lesions are usually asymptomatic but they may present with mild pruritus or sometimes pain within the lesions.
* There may be accompanying SLE but this occurs in less than 5%.
* Arthralgia or arthritis can occur.

Appearance

The lesions have a characteristic appearance.

* Lesions tend to occur on skin that is most exposed to light but relatively unexposed skin may also be involved. The scalp is often affected and this may cause permanent alopecia.
* The primary lesion is an erythematous papule or plaque with slight or moderate scaling.
* With time, the scale may thicken and become adherent.
* Changes in pigmentation develop. The active border area shows hyperpigmentation whilst the inactive centre is hypopigmented.
* Lesions spread centrifugally and may merge.
* As lesions age, the follicular openings dilate and a keratin plug forms. This is called follicular plugging or patulous follicles.
* As active lesions resolve, atrophy and scarring results.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....... the consultant believes the largest of the lesions is a carcinoma ........ he's mildly convinced of the second one, he is not sure about the others, I have something on the bridge of my nose too......... he says, if the biopsies come back malignant.... then he would need to think about how to proceed with the other ones. Of course, I asked a lot of questions.... but I won't know what's what until they take a couple chunks out of my chest and stitch me up. It doesn't take long....45mins or so... not much to worry about....

just p*sses me off actually.....

However...... was reading today.......

Skin Cancer: How to reduce the risk of getting a second one

What are the aims of this leaflet?

This leaflet has been written to help you understand and deal with the risk of developing a skin cancer. It is aimed at people at increased risk, such as those who have already had one or who have heavy sun damage to their skin, or those on immunosuppressive drugs particularly after a transplant. It describes the main types of pre-cancerous and cancerous skin growths, and explains the importance of detecting and treating them early. It tells you how to reduce the risk of getting another skin cancer, and how these can be treated.

I wonder if anyone here knows, Bethie maybe if you read this, the relationship of immunosupressants with skin cancer...you know, just makes me wonder if I have been taking meds that caused this... have been on immunosupressants for 10 years - hence, sickly cow.


mmmmmmmmmmmm....... wanna post it on the main board, there must be plenty folk here who have had lesions removed etc

So..... long and short.... 3rd December.... have one definitely, probably two cut out and biopsied...

then I'll know what's what.


We'll go with the positive that they will be benign, which means, it is another form of lupus.... but hey, had that many years so......

I kinda think I know that one is bad.... he was pretty sure... but who knows a? Will have to wait and see. It could all be just be lupus, tho, that doesn’t make me feel better right now.



So.... question: who knows whatever about skin cancer? Advice? Just personal knowledge really please. Know this common cancer... still, its bothering me right now.