Multiple Mohs surgeries over time versus all at once

06/18/09

DavidQ

Topics:Basal Cell Carcinoma , Mohs Surgery

I've been seeing a Mohs surgeon at least once a year for years. Lately have had a flare up on my scalp of the pink spots which always test as basal cell carcinomas. Surgeon says he can't do all at once for reason that sounds like, "we'll lose track of which is which." !? At each visit he fixes one and biopsies another. Meanwhile my head and face are in a state of continual disrepair, while all the remaining spots continue to grow. Does this make sense?

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Answers (2)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

alisii

I have the same problem. I'm at the point where I am not treating basal or squamous any more, I will watch them and if they turn funky looking I'll have it removed, but for now I'm done. I have scars all over my shoulders, arms and chest. New cancers have grown over the scars, so why bother removing them? I'm only 43 yo. I grew up in south Florida, lots of sun burns. I'm really worried, but at the same time I doubt the effectiveness of the treatment available. I'm considering Aldara cream, but don't look forward to it's side effects.

Thank you for your input
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

D123

Your surgeon probably isn't trying to just collect extra co-pays. But the body can only be subjected to so much insult at one time. Too many open sites at one time can contribute to serious risk of infection, too.

Check Wikpedia for Mohs surgery and see what they have to say. It's rather enlightening, even if the author didn't use spell check.

Thank you for your input
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re: Multiple Mohs surgeries over time versus all at once
DavidQ
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 04:03 PM

Nice helpful info, D123. My surgeon probably had that (excessive body insult; increased infection risk) in mind as well, but either he didn't express it or I didn't hear it.

The Wikipedia reference was quite interesting, too. Thanks!