Questions about Basal Cell Carcinoma and dermatology

I went to a dermatologist to have a mole removed from my face. I wanted it removed for cosmetic reasons. The doctor said it looked fine but she would send it for a biopsy. My next appointment, to check on the scar, was supposed to be 2 weeks later but there were some scheduling problems and it was 3 weeks later. 3 weeks later, I was told it was a basal cell. Do you think that someone from the doctor's office should have called me? The scar healed well and if I had decided to skip the appointment, I might never have been told.

The dermatologist is referring me to a mole surgeon, or so I thought. I looked online and there are specialists called Mohs surgeons who take out skin cancers. Now I do not even know which one I am supposed to see. I was not even given a business card for this person. I was told that someone from their office would call me to schedule.

I know it does not sound like it but I did like this dermatologists office a lot until the basal cell issue came about.

My mom thinks that because this is on my face, I should contact a plastic surgeon. She had a basal cell many years ago, and the procedure was a lot different than what any doctor would do today but she hates her scar and regrets using a regular dermatologist. Mine was a tiny mole but I understand that they have to make sure they got it all, so I need to have it cut again. Right now, the scar is barely visible.

Should I see if a plastic surgeon would do this? Anyone ever been to a mole surgeon or a Mohs surgeon? Does anyone know if they would? I actually have several Long Island plastic surgeons websites bookmarked because I have looked into having a tummy tuck. But.........shoud I find a plastic surgeon who works on faces only?

Any experience with basal cells, especially on the face??????

Re: Questions about Basal Cell Carcinoma and dermatology

I don't like that they were so cavalier about it. I'd change dermatology offices, ask for a second pathology opinion and then find your own plastic surgeon with the help of your primary care physician. Basil Cell is slow growing, but still......their office was completely irresponsible to not call you as soon as the results were in.

Re: Questions about Basal Cell Carcinoma and dermatology

OK, first of all, yes, I think they should have called you with the results as soon as they found out. I can only assume that they knew you were coming back in and were going to wait until you were there in person to tell you.

I have had 2 basal cell carcinomas removed in the last 10 years. One was on my chest and the other was on my shoulder blade. There are many different ways that they can attack these spots and both of mine were removed differently. The one on my chest was cut out. The one on my shoulder blade was scraped.

I will tell you that based on my experience with the one on my chest being removed by a dermatologist who did not give me all the information I should have received, I would definitely suggest going to a plastic surgeon to have the work done. I really don't know much about the Mohs surgery, so I can't really comment on that.

I would make sure that you have your dermatologist's office fax the medical records over to whoever you go to see. Let them read the pathology report so they can determine what steps are needed to ensure your margins are clear. Basically what happened was when they removed the mole, they tested the margins to make sure there was no evidence of skin cancer. If there were traces of basal cell in your margins, they did not get the whole thing. What they look for is to make sure all the tissue on the edges are clear.

I'm sorry that your dermatologists office did not handle this the way they should have. Feel free to FM me if you have any questions.

Re: Questions about Basal Cell Carcinoma and dermatology

One in Five people this year will be diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.

MOHS has a 99% cure rate for Basal cell carcinoma. It's also a tissue sparing procedure. Then you can have a plastic surgeon (who specializes in closing MOHS surgeries) do the closing.

Several MOHS surgeons have plastic surgeons in their office for this precise reason. OR, go to a large facility, like NYU (top in dermatology) where they have the plastic surgeons in the same facility.

Re: Questions about Basal Cell Carcinoma and dermatology

It is inexcusable for the office to have NOT called you with the basal cell carcinoma diagnosis. I would not use them again.

Re: Questions about Basal Cell Carcinoma and dermatology

i had a mole removed from face and one from my leg. for my leg i went to a regular surgeon - horrible scar. i went to dermatological surgeon for my face and there is no scar.