Basal cell carcinoma on arm with lymphedema

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Alexx149854
Alexx149854 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I have BCC on left arm with lymphedema. Going for a consulation with Mohs surgeon this Wednesday and likely having procedure on Friday. Would like to discuss with anyone who has gone through a similar procedure, surgery or had a wound on arm with lymphedema.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2012

    Alexx, hello, and welcome to BreastCancer.org. Bummer on the bcc, but the Mohs is so reassuring.

    I haven't had this but just wanted to join your cheering team for quick clear margins and fast healing. There are guidelines for surgery on an arm with lymphedema here:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care.htm#SURGERY_WITH_LYMPHEDEMA

    Please keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.

    Be well,
    Binney

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  • olearca
    olearca Member Posts: 215
    edited April 2012

    I'm joining in to cheer you on too.  I am sure with alot of self-care, pre and post-op precautions (compression, MLD)  and LE care etc, you will be well on your way to doing everything you can not to swell.  It is such a bummer though that the BCC just had to do the LE arm, right?  Nothing about this is fair.  Take good care and keep us posted. 

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  • suebak
    suebak Member Posts: 199
    edited April 2012

    I had mohs surgery on my face 2 weeks ago.  I was very nervous about being awake while they were taking pieces of my face.  Turned out I worried over nothing.  Didn't feel a thing.  Don't know much about LE, but I just wanted to assure you, the mohs surgery was not bad at all.  Good luck to you

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  • dreaming
    dreaming Member Posts: 473
    edited April 2012

     I started with my first Mohs surgery  on my face in January, it is the best treatment to remove it, last week I had another Mohs to remove another BCC from my ankle,  I am not a person that spend time in the sun, never have left my home without a block of 70+ and not a natural blond.

    Sorry that I do not have information about lymphedema the site where Mohs is going to be done.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited April 2012

    I know you are probably more worried about what surgery will do to your arm than the basal cell carcinoma on this arm so I hope you get answers from the many lyphedema experts on here!  

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  • Alexx149854
    Alexx149854 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2012

    Thank you for your response!

    I was expecting to see a response in my email account (duh), but my Mohs surgeon found the responses on breastcancer.org and printed them out for me. 

    The surgery seems to have gone well. The most important thing for me it turns out -- after friends drummed this in to me -- was to bring a friend with me. It just helped a lot to have a friend present. I had 8 stitches. There is no inflammation or oozing. I'm wrapping over the bandages. My biggest concern over the past couple days has been avoiding getting my arm bumped into, being jostled, in crowded places. I'm holding my arm up in front of me. Might look weird, but think it gives the message to be careful. Thanks again for your response.

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  • Alexx149854
    Alexx149854 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2012

    Hi,

    I'm really new to this site so I don't know if you see the response I had to Binney4.

    Thanks for cheering me on. I think the surgery went well. Had it on Friday, this is Sunday and no inflammation or swelling to make note of. The wrapping helps with making the arm feel more secure. It IS a bit weird to get this on my arm (I've had Mohs surgery a couple times on my face) because I thought BCC was mainly from sun exposure and this was on the "white underbelly" of my arm. Something to watch for in the future.. 

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  • Alexx149854
    Alexx149854 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2012

    I had Mohs surgery on my nose a year or so ago. It was significant enough that I went straight to the hospital to have a skin graft from my ear to my nose. I walk into the operating room and who do I see -- my breast surgeon. I had a "wait a minute" moment. Had to collect my thoughts and remember why I was there. Turns out she was there because it was her operating day. Good for her to know about this though!

    I had another Mohs surgery on my right brow about 3 weeks before the arm. You're right, it wasn't that big a deal. 

    Thanks for your support. 

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  • Alexx149854
    Alexx149854 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2012

    Also not a sun person!

    Thanks. 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2012

    Alexx, sounds like it went really well.Cool Thanks for letting us know. Really glad that's behind you, and wishing you smooth healing!

    Hugs,
    Binney

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