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My path report

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Breast Cancer
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Posted 10/20/2007 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosis: Pigmented Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ (Bowen's Disease)
The lesion has been completely excised in these sections. (Bowen's Disease
is sun-induced or arsenic-induced. I'll go for the sun.)

Clinical Information: Pigmented Lesion

Gross Description: 13x8x5 mm

Microscopic Description: There is hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and
malignant dyskeratosis with hyperchromatic and pleomorphic nuclei
throughout the full thickness of the epidermis. There is also an increase
in epidermal pigmentation. No dermal invasion is seen. Chronic
inflammation is present in the dermis.

End of Pathology Report

Now, definitions I had to look up:

Hyperkeratosis - thickening of the skin

Acanthosis - brown to black, poorly defined, velvety hyperpigmentation of
the skin.

Dyskeratosis - Central displacement, aggregation and condensation of
tonofilaments within individual cells at all levels of the epidermis.

Hyperchromatic - Abnormally highly colored, excessively stained or over
pigmented.

Pleomorphic Nuclei - Many formed, capable of assuming different shapes.

I have an appointment three weeks from today to have the second one
removed from the same arm but there appear to be more popping up.
Treatment can be our beloved 5FU but applied topically. What luck!

Anyway, I can no longer go out in the sun without both sunscreen and long sleeves. My daughter-in-law told me today that they sell shirts that repel the uv rays of the sun where she works. Since she gets 25% off, I'll be on my way there before too much longer.

Thanks for hanging with me guys. I'll let you know how this whole thing progresses. I do wonder that if you have 5fu applied topically, will you still lose your hair?

How sick can this be? Actually being happy that the cancer you have isn't the worst kind. And, I only had one piece of that chocolate cake and then gave it to my grandchildren. It made my stomach sick. Not the wine though, had no problem with that.

Love, Jo-Ann
Posted 10/21/2007 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann, thanks for sharing and it sounds like a squamous cell cancer is way better than a melanoma?? My mother in law had one on her forehead and they scraped it out, same with a coworker that I knew years back. Sounds like this was caught nice and early.

Thank goodness you tolerated the wine well! :)

Keep on hanging on!
Lori
Posted 10/21/2007 10:40 AM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann
glad to hear that it isn't melanoma.

I don't know if you are familiar with Headcovers.com ? I bought several of their hats while I had no hair earlier this year. They're a great company - in Oklahoma - and get their stuff out very quickly - my stuff from them arrived in 5 or 6 days - and that's to the UK !

Anyway - quite a few of their hats are in fabric which also gives UV protection. I wore one during my recent holidays to the sun and I was very comfortable.
take care
Anthi x
Posted 10/21/2007 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann

Great news on the path report, it just looks like they are going to have to keep an eye on your "spots" Hopefully it wont leave too much of a scar. Well I had my appointment with the Onc on Thurs and she says I have Basil Cell carcinoma on my hand and arm. I know just by looking you cant be 100 but she was pretty sure. I have an appointment next week with my PS to have them cut out and biopsied. She told me not to worry because this is not a fast growing or likely to kill you type.......made me feel better though. Im not worried I just did not like having the C word mentionioned again.

Take care, and keep us posted.
Bernadette
Posted 10/21/2007 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Looks like we'll be going through this together Bernadette. My arm is lymphodemic and that can cause some of this Bowen's Disease, also. I guess I will have to start binding it again when all this stuff is over.

I have also found a place that has an additive to your laundry that put a 30+ block on your clothes that you might be interested in. Let me know. I am going to order some when I get some long sleeve shirts. The american skin cancer site has a list of all of their approved lotions, clothes, tents, etc.

Good look with your surgery. My next one is on Nov 9. I'm too old to care about scars. The ones are my back are far, far worse. As one friend told me, "It's not like you'll be going to the prom anytime soon".

Be sure to let me know how you will be getting along.

Hugs, Jo-Ann
Posted 10/22/2007 5:34 PM (GMT 0)

What else, girl!  Sorry to hear about this latest scare.  You are going to be okay with this type, easily treatable.  Just watch out for the swelling.  And the 5fu will probably only remove "arm" hairs.  LOL

 

Haven't dropped by here for a while and was very afraid to open "My Path Report" with your name.

Drink the wine, stay away from the sweets, and stay out of the darn sun!

Want you around for a very long, long time.

Love, Glenda

P.S. Celebrated my 10 year mark in September.  As far as I know, all is well. 

Posted 10/23/2007 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
HI JOANN

SORRY I HAVENT BEEN AROUND TO WAIT WITH YOU...I WAS IN SOUTH CAROLINA  VISITING

MY SISTER FOR 10 DAYS. I DECIDED TO GO NOW WHILE I AM FEELING OK..

( I START CHEMO AGAIN IN NOVEMBER )

I AM SURE THIS WAS SUCH A SCARE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU CAUGHT IT EARLY. ALTHOUGH

NO CANCER IS GOOD, GETTING IT EARLY IS BETTER. TOPICAL 5FU SOUNDS INTERESTING... 

I AM SO SORRY THAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. PLEASE TRY TO STAY

POSITIVE AND KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF US RIGHT BESIDE YOU.

I LOVE YOU SIS..YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS,

CATHI

 

Posted 10/24/2007 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann, Cathi just told me about your post. Well it seems we pick the same time and the same arm for issues. Remember the last squamous I had they thought was melanoma and sent me to Penn. This time its on my arm that I wear the sleeve, but for the first time mine was B9 no B no S and no M. Now you know there is no free lunch. I am sure I will end up with a huge balloon to celebrate this one. I mean your are not supposed to puncture your arm, how does it feel about being scalped? You know I never go out in the sun anymore without all the protection I can muster....I was so mad when I continued to have problems I asked her what was the problem...Her response to that was, I am paying for all the damage I did to my skin as a child. She said I would continue to have to get my skin checked every year, if I never went out into the sun again. You can bet my children are slathering my grandchildren with protection. Mean while it seems to me your due for a break. Its been one thing after the other. Did you get parts for your dino or did you buy a new computer? I know one thing I sure have missed you. Hope all goes well with your arm and I am so glad they caught it early and a little scalp job fixed you right up. Let me know how your arm is dealing with this. Love and hugs, Joyce. Vic said as a P.S. If your not italian you have to cut back on that riding around on those J. Deere toys out in the sun. He sends his best also.  
Posted 11/1/2007 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann and Bernadette,

 

All I can say is - WOW!  It never seems to end, huh?  I'm sorry to hear this news, but hopeful that everything will turn out well for both of you.  I've been away and just catching up a bit.  You both will be in my thoughts.

Posted 11/2/2007 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Jo-Ann....GEEZ! You will be in my thought and prayers also. Just when I thought you have gone through more than enough! I love you friend, and hang in there.
L&H, Gail
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