SCC on face & possibly elsewhere..

Hi
went in for query on a thing (wart-like) growing from what looked like many other things on my body, brown/sun spot. the little warty thing hurt (at 1st I thought it was a pimple), so long story shorter. turns out to be Squamous CC & after 4-5weeks after biopsy I had it excised. I read during my research that you should get results back in 1 week, in case not all was gotten so it could be treated again.......is this only in the USA or everywhere (i'm in canada, BC).
I'm still waiting for biopsy from leg lesion (exact same thing, but been there a very long time), lab is backed up. geesh
2yrs ago, a Dr at a walk in clinic used Liquid Nitrogen to burn off a very large lesion (same as leg & face) I asked if a biopsy was needed and he didn't feel it was necessary.

so now am wondering if any of this could have been prevented (i wear sunscreen/try to stay out of sun due to medication reactions)

I do have RA & was on Metholtrixate (inj) and read there is an increased chance of cancer along with any type being more aggressive due to these?

so.
1. is is proper to have results back in a week after the excision of the cancer?
2. if 2yrs ago the lesion had happened to be SCC (no it didn't return in same spot),  does this increase my risk of further cancers?
3. does using Metholtrixate and having RA increase the risk and aggressiveness of any cancer (I know it's mainly about Lymphoma ..but??)

thanks
so many questions!

[FLIPPINPATTY]

I just went through having a invasive squamous skin cancer on my inner thigh.  It was into the reticular dermis, still within the skin, but almost to the fat.  It came up like a ingrown hair and I only had it now more then 3 months. It really hurt. Most squamous skin cancers stay on the surface longer.

I ended up sending the pathology slides to MD Anderson for a second opinion. It came back the same, so I had an appt. with a oncology surgeon & the melanoma center. It took me 2 months to get in! Scarey when you don't know what to expect!  Squamous skin cancer is not like squamous cancer in the lining of organs or membranes. Turns out they were not concerned because it was still within the skin. It is highly unlikely that squamous would go into the lymph nodes & it has nothing to do with breast lumps. The only thing is it puts you in a higher risk for other skin cancers. So wear SPF everyday & get your skin checked. Hope that makes you feel better! Wish someone had told me this. I waited 2 months to get answers.
Patty

[angelcher]

Shh..thanks Patti! Yrs everything I've read didn't indicate account about the breast.  & oh..didn't realize there are two types of SCC..nothing I read stated that ..thanks for the info. I'm sure things strok..timing was just weird I guess.
Wish you well & cancer of anykind free

[angelcher]

Sorry...auto text on phone..I miss some of thewords mispelled

[angelcher]

got stitches out today and results.yippee.. all cancer gone from face.
my doctor is pretty darn good! can barely see the scar too.
office is trying to find out where my results are from my leg biopsy.. over 3 weeks ago, but get my face one back in a week? hmmm
anyways.. great news!\

[FLIPPINPATTY]

Great news! Get a copy of your pathology report to keep on hand.  Did they tell you the biopsy they took from your leg was a squamous?  Make sure all the margins are clean.  And SPF everyday!

[warney26]

Hi,your "warty" thing sounds so much like what i have.   I noticed a tiny area on the back of my hand that looked like a little bit of hard white skin but wouldnt come off. I pretty much ignored it. Then, VERY quickly this dark pink lump appeared, abot the size of a pea, with the white bit of hard skin on the top. I thought maybe it had a thorn or something in it so i stuck a needle into it and sueezed, of course nothing came out.  A few weeks later I was at my doctors for another reason. whilst there I asked her to look aat it and to tell me what it could be. She looked and said "oh thats nothing". However, afew more weeks gone past, my friend noticed it and said that I should go to the skin clinic and have it checked.  It is a specialist clinic that only deals with skin cancers. I went today. The doctor took one look at it and straight away said it was a squamous cell carcinoma and asked me how long it had been there to y knowledge. I told him and he was horrifeid that I hadnt got it looked at!!!. Whilst there he suggested a full skin exam. I agreed.  He then said I had a "bad irregular looking lesion on my upper back"  I had no idea as it wasnt an area i could see myself.  He asked me had I ever heard of Hutchinsons Freckle - never.  To the naked eye it looks like an innocent flat freckle. however, if scanned (as he did straight away) it was very alarming!.  A large flat light brown area that had absolutely no uniform shape to it at all.
I am booked in to have both cut out next week. He said he has no doubt about the diagnosis but wont know how deep either have gone until then. Especially as there is no way of knowing how long the hutchinsons has been on my back.
I know my doctor couldnt have known about the one on my back but I am REALLY upset about the squamous cell on my hand!  I only hope the biopsy doesnt take too long, Shame with this type of forum you cant post a pic as it could be a warning for all