Squamous cell carcinoma - just skin cancer? When to be concerned?
Davis1603 posted:
50YO, Male. No history of cancer. My father and 2 grandparents died from cancer, Caucasian and very fair skinned.
For about 6 months I had a small lump about 1 inch above my left nipple and 2 inches toward the center. It was UNDER the skin and pushed outward. it was about 1cm in diameter. I lanced it 2 ties thinking it was just a clogged sebaceous gland. Yellow oily liquid came out.
After that it had a small whiter area on the top and looked a little like a large "pimple". I had it removed in August and it was a 1cm fluid filled sac purplish in color, the physician cut a small hole with a punch and pushed the sac out clamped under it and cut it off. It bled quite a bit which seems to indicate it had a blood supply. No other tissue was removed with the sac as it was not attached to the skin or fat surrounding it.
The pathology report came back that it was squamous cell carcinoma and did not have clear borders. We let it heal for one month and he re-excised a larger area, it did NOT appear to have any foreign tissue in it. It too is being sent out for a pathological examination.
The original sac did not erupt or have an open "wound" on the surface of the skin as I've seen pictured on many sites. This was entirely contained and other than the bump and soft white "cap" (probably caused by my lancing it) was not very visible.
When I pressed the MD about possibility of metastasis he was not concerned. I asked for an oncology consult which was refused largely in part, I suspect, because the MD described it as "skin cancer".
Given my family history and this cancers unusual appearance I am in a quandary as to whether to insist on an oncological consult - if I can get one.
Opinions please?
For about 6 months I had a small lump about 1 inch above my left nipple and 2 inches toward the center. It was UNDER the skin and pushed outward. it was about 1cm in diameter. I lanced it 2 ties thinking it was just a clogged sebaceous gland. Yellow oily liquid came out.
After that it had a small whiter area on the top and looked a little like a large "pimple". I had it removed in August and it was a 1cm fluid filled sac purplish in color, the physician cut a small hole with a punch and pushed the sac out clamped under it and cut it off. It bled quite a bit which seems to indicate it had a blood supply. No other tissue was removed with the sac as it was not attached to the skin or fat surrounding it.
The pathology report came back that it was squamous cell carcinoma and did not have clear borders. We let it heal for one month and he re-excised a larger area, it did NOT appear to have any foreign tissue in it. It too is being sent out for a pathological examination.
The original sac did not erupt or have an open "wound" on the surface of the skin as I've seen pictured on many sites. This was entirely contained and other than the bump and soft white "cap" (probably caused by my lancing it) was not very visible.
When I pressed the MD about possibility of metastasis he was not concerned. I asked for an oncology consult which was refused largely in part, I suspect, because the MD described it as "skin cancer".
Given my family history and this cancers unusual appearance I am in a quandary as to whether to insist on an oncological consult - if I can get one.
Opinions please?
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Squamous cell carcinoma - just skin cancer? When to be concerned?50YO, Male. No history of cancer. My father and 2 grandparents died from cancer, Caucasian and very fair skinned.<br /><br />For about 6 months I had a small lump about 1 inch above my left nipple and 2 inches toward the center. It was UNDER the skin and pushed outward. it was about 1cm in diameter. I lanced it 2 ties thinking it was just a clogged sebaceous gland. Yellow oily liquid came out.<br /><br />After that it had a small whiter area on the top and looked a little like a large "pimple". I had it removed in August and it was a 1cm fluid filled sac purplish in color, the physician cut a small hole with a punch and pushed the sac out clamped under it and cut it off. It bled quite a bit which seems to indicate it had a blood supply. No other tissue was removed with the sac as it was not attached to the skin or fat surrounding it.<br /><br />The pathology report came back that it was squamous cell carcinoma and did not have clear borders. We let it heal for one month and he re-excised a larger area, it did NOT appear to have any foreign tissue in it. It too is being sent out for a pathological examination.<br /><br />The original sac did not erupt or have an open "wound" on the surface of the skin as I've seen pictured on many sites. This was entirely contained and other than the bump and soft white "cap" (probably caused by my lancing it) was not very visible.<br /><br />When I pressed the MD about possibility of metastasis he was not concerned. I asked for an oncology consult which was refused largely in part, I suspect, because the MD described it as "skin cancer".<br /><br />Given my family history and this cancers unusual appearance I am in a quandary as to whether to insist on an oncological consult - if I can get one.<br /><br />Opinions please?
An_188435 responded:
If I read this right, you are waiting on a second pathology report.
If it comes back with clear margins no need to see anyone, unless you need peace of mind. Let us know. Take care.
If it comes back with clear margins no need to see anyone, unless you need peace of mind. Let us know. Take care.
Report This| Share this:Squamous cell carcinoma - just skin cancer? When to be concerned?If I read this right, you are waiting on a second pathology report.<br /> <br />If it comes back with clear margins no need to see anyone, unless you need peace of mind. Let us know. Take care.
Second pathology report came back clear, no cancer and all in the tissue - it was all removed in the first operation.
He forwarded my request for a consult to an oncologist who refused to see me as it was just listed as skin cancer. I guess I have to stop reading stuff on the web, things I've read say that unusual looking lumps that deep have a higher risk of spreading. While I don't really feel "all warm and fuzzy" with assurance it wont / hasn't spread I guess I'll live with it and hope for the best.
He forwarded my request for a consult to an oncologist who refused to see me as it was just listed as skin cancer. I guess I have to stop reading stuff on the web, things I've read say that unusual looking lumps that deep have a higher risk of spreading. While I don't really feel "all warm and fuzzy" with assurance it wont / hasn't spread I guess I'll live with it and hope for the best.
Report This| Share this:Squamous cell carcinoma - just skin cancer? When to be concerned?Second pathology report came back clear, no cancer and all in the tissue - it was all removed in the first operation.<br /><br />He forwarded my request for a consult to an oncologist who refused to see me as it was just listed as skin cancer. I guess I have to stop reading stuff on the web, things I've read say that unusual looking lumps that deep have a higher risk of spreading. While I don't really feel "all warm and fuzzy" with assurance it wont / hasn't spread I guess I'll live with it and hope for the best.
noday responded:
"skin" cancer can also be found inside the body. My wife is stage4 or 5 and has it all through her body. The doctors have said she is to go home and die. Treatment is no longer of any benefit.
I doubt that most (51%) of cancer is cured. It is a major money maker for the treatment and then most people die before 5 years. The surgery does not count as a cancer treatment. It is surgery. The early find is the critical concern.
I doubt that most (51%) of cancer is cured. It is a major money maker for the treatment and then most people die before 5 years. The surgery does not count as a cancer treatment. It is surgery. The early find is the critical concern.
Report This| Share this:Squamous cell carcinoma - just skin cancer? When to be concerned?"skin" cancer can also be found inside the body. My wife is stage4 or 5 and has it all through her body. The doctors have said she is to go home and die. Treatment is no longer of any benefit.<br />I doubt that most (51%) of cancer is cured. It is a major money maker for the treatment and then most people die before 5 years. The surgery does not count as a cancer treatment. It is surgery. The early find is the critical concern.
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