General Medicine

» redback - links

In response to links posted by P_Al:
Sorry for the delay in getting back here...there are problems within suite101 making navigation more difficult to get to current discussions on whatever topic. Current posts are immediately transfrred to 'read only' due to some unexplainerd process.

Carcinoma in situ a cancer or not? Methinks "a rose by any other name..."
Here's a link re breast cancer where examinations pick up pre-cursors:
http://www.breastcancer.org/dia_pict_can...
This raises the aspects of pre-cursors, non-invasive and invasive cancers and highly aggressive forms compared to the much more slower growing versions. Metastasis et al.
Also in the strictest sense, which 'carcinomas in situ' require absolutely NO monitoring at any stage?
So, i'm thinking 'cancer' ought to have a more patient-focus functional sense to the term. But hey...I'm no expert.

"By the way, you made a point about not all tumours being cancer..."

Sorry...I was expecting the article to be stand-alone on those points. It's hard to provide hotlinks to specific points covered in more detail elsewhere as it is an ask to read all preceding articles.

On checking, you make the point there "Benign tumours lack the ability to spread..." Its interesting that carcinomas in situ do NOT lack this ability.

I'm currently awaiting a biopsy for a skin cancer on my nose. Treatment will involve a skin graft over maybe half my nose. The SCC has more to be worried about than the BCC and I've had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the other side of my nose a few years back. Incredulously, I've been referred to a plastic surgeon who bulk bills under our Medicare system.

-- posted by redback

» P_Al - links

In response to links posted by redback:

Well, I do agree; carcinoma in situ is at least a precancerous stage. Some usually do not go on to develop into invasive cancer, but there is the potential. As you rightly implied, that's why they have to be monitored.

Hope all is going well with your therapy. I intend to do a skin cancer series later on.

-- posted by P_Al

» redback - progress report

In response to links posted by P_Al:

Maybe 'pre-cancer' is like 'pre-diabetes'. An ackknowlegement of clumsy diagnostic labels and difficulty meeting the diagnostic standards set. Maybe 'cancer syndrome' is needed whereby smoking is part of the syndrome.

Well, today..I underwent the biopsy on the tip of my nose which gave me some pain and a temporary sharp headache that resolved in maybe 30 minutes. (All previous cancers removed had the histopathology after the removal)

The cyst and fibrous tissue was excised from my cheek (same appt as the biopsy) leaving about 7 stitches AND my beard completely intact! This same plastic surgeon plans to remove the cancer and do the skin graft...in his surgery within a fortnight...for free.

Once that's done (successfully), I'll cancel the skin specialist appointment set for the same work. He couldn't see me for 3 months AND has a hefty bill.

-- posted by redback

» P_Al - progress report

In response to progress report posted by redback:

Good to hear of your progress. Sounds like you have got your game plan all worked out and moving forward with it. That's good.

Based on your previous history, you are probably familiar with the discomforts of therapy, which are sometimes unavoidable. Just a couple quick questions. Are you involved in any support groups? Do you even think they are that important?

I have started a discussion thread on various cancer support groups. You could check it out if you wish - http://cancer.suite101.com/discussion.cf... Please keep us posted on your progress.

--

-- posted by P_Al

» redback - progress report

In response to progress report posted by P_Al:

Thanx.

The biopsy showed it is a BCC on my nose so amputation is probably not an option. The 'procedure' including skin graft happens 2 days time ie Wednesday. I'm happier its not an SCC or other type. While it'll be more extensive than previous procedures I'm not anxious. I'll have to forgo my usual tossing and turning in bed for a while and ensure I'm stocked up on painkillers which aren't a normal feature at home.

Cosmetically, I'm expecting my nose on recovery, to be off-colour but this fades over time. The scar on my cheek is already hidden in my beard. Love me, love my dog is my attitude to appearances.

I have provided advice to a number of different support groups in my career (now retired) so know the valuable role they can play...have helped them deal better with government agencies. But, I'd feel a bit of a wooss joining a support group for my problems.

-- posted by redback

» P_Al - progress report

In response to progress report posted by redback:

Good luck with your procedure; I'm sure you will do well.

When you have the time, stop by the cancer support discussion and have a look - http://cancer.suite101.com/discussion.cf...
If there are any links that you could add, I would really appreciate it.

-- posted by P_Al

» redback - progress report

In response to progress report posted by P_Al:
I visited and added one primary link aimed at teenagers with cancer. I'll check for more, later.

The grafted area on my nose bled heavily 2 hours after. Would you think this is good, bad, ordinary omen for the success of the graft? The wadding covering 50% of my nose is stitched on so I can't peek and the specialist is unavailable til Monday when he'll check another cuppla problem areas nearer my right eye.

The graft area behind my right ear is located where my glasses rest. Tis an interesting, uncomfortable time. I asked the specialist if I'd be able to hear better from my nose. He said 'YES' but you'd get a bad smell from your ear.

My neighbour's 5 y-o daughter asked me what's wrong with my nose and I told her her mum bit me on the nose. Her mum was there at the time.

-- posted by redback

» P_Al - progress report

In response to progress report posted by redback:

Humour is a great remedy Never leave home without it. Hang in there.

I suppose you wouldn't want too much bleeding with the graft in place. Once it has been controlled, I guess that's the important thing.

Thanks for the link.

-- posted by P_Al

» redback - progress report

In response to progress report posted by P_Al:

Self examination is difficult for those who live alone. But I have a daily coffee shop "team" who insisted from their direct experience and my usual appearance, my nose looked infected..so "go to the GP BEFORE your coffee!!!"

"To be on the safe side", the GP prescribed antibiotics. The specialist subsequently said there was no infection but finish them off and that the graft "took", was OK albeit purple. Pathology results were good. 25% of the nose..the lower right quadrant looks pretty scary but my 5-year old neighbour simply said I look ugly even with the wadding and stitches gone, replaced by spiderlike strips.

A week out, the pain has settled and I can almost sleep on my right side.

-- posted by redback

» P_Al - progress report

In response to progress report posted by redback:

Sounds good. Infection is the thing to watch - glad there was none.

-- posted by P_Al