Dad is 93, kinda frail/ailing, and currently on Eliquis (among others) for a leg clot. They found a squamous cell on his ear and want to arrange Mohs. Having had several Mohs myself, I know how easy OR hard it can be (e.g. 1/3 of my face removed once). I don't want to make his decision for him (he is inclined not to, which I understand totally) but having a tough time helping him decide which way. Any ideas? I am torn on this. Thank you! (oh, I should mention, that he is already depressed about being so old, pretty immobile, and constant medical and failing heart issues... cute as heck tho :)
Personally , I’d lean towards agreeing with him to skip it .
I know that the docs must understand about the Eliquis. Because this surgury cannot be done on someone taking a clot inhibitor; bleeding would be pretty bad I would think. Eliquis, unlike predaxa, cannot be quickly or easily reversed, and in that way dangerous for certain; so discuss that with doctors, as well.
I wish you good luck in this decision.
If this is small, I would have it done. I have had basal cell done so I know what is involved. It will be removed and a bandage put on it probably.
Had an in-situ cancerous melanoma mole NOT been removed from my arm, I strongly believe I would not have stage 4 cancer today.
My mother was 93 when a cancer was found on her chin. The dermatologist was hired to remove an annoying wart on her finger that was bugging her for years. When they called me strongly suggesting they treat the chin cancer, I told them absolutely 100% NO. Mom died 2 years later of advanced dementia and CHF.
Topical 5% 5-fluorouracil versus procedural modalities for squamous cell carcinoma in situ and superficial basal cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort analysis.
Holly Neale, BSa ∙ Melissa Michelon, MDb ∙ Susan Jacob, MDa ∙ et. al.
The topical chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is commonly used to treat squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) and superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). For patients who wish to avoid procedures or are not good surgical candidates, 5-FU may be a preferred treatment option. It is less expensive than some procedures and other topicals (ie, imiquimod). The reported success rates of 5-FU for SCCIS and sBCC range from 27% to 90%. Additional investigation is needed to understand whether topical 5-FU, under real-world conditions, has comparable treatment success to procedures for epidermally-limited keratinocyte carcinomas.