Hello, new here and can use some advice please

inch · New User Joined: 08 Nov 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

A little over a year ago I noticed a small red dot under my eye. I was referred to a plastic surgeon and waited till last April to finally see him. By that time, the small red dot had become a half inch long lesion which no matter what I tried, would not heal. The plastic surgeon excised it and a week later told me it was basal cell cancer. A few weeks later, he again excised it and the pathology report came back negative. However, that little red dot had already returned. Since then, I have had it excised once again....3 times in all, each deeper and wider. Still it came back quickly, even before the stitches were removed a week to 10 days later.
After the last excision I was beginning to lose confidence in my Dr. I read up extensively on this type of cancer and all the treatments available. Two weeks ago, he did laser surgery. The cancer is very close to the corner of my eye and I have already noticed some impaired vision in that eye, due to the cutting and the delicate area involved. Therefore I thought the laser surgery would enable him to cover a larger area without cutting more skin and would do the trick.
The scab left by the laser surgery finally came off 2 nights ago and that little red spot is still there.
I am seeing him this coming Thursday for a follow up appointment. He did say that he could do the laser surgery more than once, if need be.
Basically my questions are....being basal cell cancer, which is slow growing, why is it coming back so quickly and why in the exact same spot. He did tell me that he thought there were isolated cancer cells in the area below my eye, which would cause it to re occur. It just seems to me that 4 times would have removed it all.
Am I right in questioning what my Dr. is doing? Should I seek a second opinion?
I don't know what he will come up with when I see him this week. I do know that excising it again could involve a skin graft.
Any advice would be very appreciated.
Thank you.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 817 Location: UK

Hi, sounds what is often called a rodent ulcer.

If you are not happy, seek a second opinion. At least that will give you more to go on, and will allow you to feel a little more in control.

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