skin cancer

hi sue, he has another appointment at the hospital next thursday maybe i should go along and speak to his consultant, i lost my own father to cancer a couple of years ago so im cautious about these things, hes awaiting radio therapy but his wound still hasnt healed so it cant go ahead yet, it started a few months ago as a small lump but rapidly got bigger, they removed part of his ear but within a month the carcinoma had returned and rapidly grew to the size of a golf ball, he then had all his ear removed,,, a very large operation,,, and after that didnt heal properly another operation to put it right, it was then that they said it had spread to his lymph gland and they didnt know if they had got it all,

           its so worrying, i cant help but fear the worst after going through this before.

                      sam x 

Mohs plus the RT is probably the best treatment for your father-in-law.  It sounds like he had a pretty bad SCC on his ear.  SCCs grow A LOT faster than basal cells and they shouldn't be underestimated.  You father-in-law should probably see an oncologist and have a PET/CT scan if he hasn't already.  You may also ask about a sentinel node biopsy to check for node metastsis and "hot spots."  It never hurts to consult an expert.  If there is a teaching hospital in your area, it may be worth a drive to see what those docs have to day.  They tend to be up to date with the latest and greatest in medical technology.  In my area we have Shands and it's an amazing hospital.  People who are new to the field are still excited by it and want to be the one to find "the cure."  People who have been doing it for a long time tend to be unimpressed and less motivated to be creative in their treatment.  "Been-there-done-that syndrome."  If you don't have a teaching hospital in the area, you at least need to bring him to an oncologist to oversee his treatment.  Best of luck.

Bridget, mohs technician