basal cell carcinoma

Hi,
My father had two small tumors on the scalp . The doctor did the surgery and removed them. Then the doctor sent the samples for testing.
The biopsy of scalp lesions' result is as the following.
1. Basal cell carcinoma, nodular type. - base and margins are free.
2. Basal cell carcinoma, metatypical type. - Base and lateral margins are clear.

Can anyone interpret these result for me. Is this cancer removed by doing the surgery? Is it malignant and harmful?
Is the danger gone?


Thank you for helping me.

[mkarbas]

Can anybody answer my question please?

[sage009]

When my boyfriend had a basal cell tumor removed from his face we were told there was nothing else to worry about, removing it is all that's necessary.  I'm not a doctor but from the description of the margins it sounds like there's no reason to worry.  If it were a dangerous cancer I  think it would have irregular margins. Don't be afraid to call the doctor and ask questions and about follow up care as well.  You may want to tell your father to keep an eye on the area to make sure it heals properly, and by all means wear a hat and sunscreen when going outside.  Sun exposure is something to avoid when your prone to any type of skin cancer. Try googling the words nodular type and metatypical type basal cell carcinoma.  You sound like such a good daughter, good health to you both.

[sage009]

I just wanted to make sure I was clear that every case is different and that my boyfriends diagnosis and your fathers may in fact be very different.  I still don't think there's any reason to worry but if you can you should speak to your fathers doctor.
All the best.

[mkarbas]

Thank you for your kind reply. we saw the doctor in the hospital.He didn't have time to explain it, but he just said it was ok and that he removed it, but I was still somehow worried .  Now that I read your post I don't feel worried anymore. Thank you again.

[Winikor]

I have had to battle with basal cell carcinoma for over 30 years now.  My father had it and so did his brother and sister.  I had one on my scalp which, at the time, was not sent to a place that told me how the margins were so it closed up and I thought that was it.  10 years later, it appeared again.  Apparently, they had not gotten it all out and so they had to do mohs.  They had to go in 4 times.  I had about 40 stitches (4 layers of skin) and 12 staples on my head.  It was devastating.  All I can tell you is that when they say that the margins are "clear" that means no more cancer.  My daughter now has it and last week had to have one removed from her forehead by a mohs surgeon.  He had to go in 3 times and 10 stitches later, she is really upset.  She also has one on her nose where she was told would be deep so we are looking for a nose reconstruction plastic surgeon for after the mohs surgery.  She spent a lot of time in the sun and in tanning beds.  She is really sorry now.  The one good thing is that it is not life threatening.  Prevention is the key.  Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm w/spf, cover your ears with it as well and your hands as well as your neck and your feet.  The sun is really dangerous.  And to top it off, we live in south florida.  Good luck to your dad, clear margins is great news.