One way to help gauge whether your Mohs surgeon does good reconstructive work is to ask for before and after photographs. You can ask your surgeon how long he or she has been performing Mohs surgery reconstruction. The reconstructive options depend on the size of your final surgical defect and... more
What should I ask about nodular BCC on my ala?
I have a nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on my nasal ala. It is 5mm across and primarily flat. I will be having Mohs surgery in a couple weeks to remove it. I am a 46-year-old woman, and this is my third BCC The last one was diagnosed 7 years ago. I've had one on my back and one on my shoulder. I am concerned about reconstruction and would like to know what questions you might recommend that I ask my surgeon about it. Thanks!
3 answers to “What should I ask about nodular BCC...”
A: Basal cell carcinoma of nose
I'm assuming that this is a histolological diagnosis in addition to the clinical diagnosis(I can't see a biopsy site in your pic). This is a difficult 3-dimensional defect to reconstruct without leaving a bridge or web, and is usually dealt with by a plastic surgeon working with the Mohs surgeon.
A: Leave It Up To The Mohs Surgeon
Mohs surgery is the most effective means of removilng a basal cell, especially in potentially tricky spots such as where yours has planted itself. I would leave it up to your Mohs surgeon. If it turns out that if your basal cell is not that extensive, he or she should be able to... more
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2 posts
23 Apr 2009
Thank you for your replies. I do trust my surgeon. He is very experienced and knowledgeable. I am just doing abit of research as I recognize that there is a possibility that this will be a difficult surgery and want to be well prepared just in case. The image is pre-biopsy.