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She had Mohs surgery 2 years ago on side of her nose by nostril left her nose deformed and hard to breath. She cannot go through another mohs as it was difficult 2 years ago. She wants to do something but I am not happy with either the cream or radiation. She has rosacea and the cream from what I am researching could also be painful etc. etc. and radiation at her age not sure about anything. Have 2 appointments with radiation oncologist and also Gentle Cure supposedly easier to deal with. Any one have experience with their elderly parents with either the cream or radiation.. She will be 97 in 2 months . She is in pretty good health but can a 97 year old deal with this issue. Any one with experience in this particular case please let me know what you think. Thank you.

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I happen to be sitting in the dermatologist clinic with my Mom this moment while she is having a Mohs procedure for squamous cell cancer. I asked the dermatologist/surgeon this question and she said it "depends" on the senior, their health, the progression of the cancer, any other co-morbidities. Technically it *can* be burned off but this all depends on what was mentioned.

This past spring I did the Flourouracil on my entire face. It burned and hurt a lot, BUT if your Mom is only doing a small spot, it shouldn't be bad at all.

Gentle Cure: this dermatologist says it is "unproven" and very "profitable" and she has nothing good to say about it.
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Reply to Geaton777
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LC2024 Aug 29, 2024
Thank you so much for your information. A lot to think about
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I suppose it depends on the number of treatments and the hassle of getting there but I imagine radiation is the better option for a growth that is large enough to interfere with breathing. A friend's father has a rare aggressive form of cancer on his lip area and radiation was able to put it in remission, as I advised her at the time you are always able to stop the treatments if it becomes problematic.
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Reply to cwillie
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LC2024 Aug 29, 2024
Thank you for your info
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She's 97 I would leave it alone unless it's causing her pain.
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Reply to sp196902
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LC2024 Aug 29, 2024
Thank you for your input.
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We aren't really medical doctors here; haven't seen one on site in some time, tho occ. we have visiting attorneys. I would take the advice of your medical doctors; request a second opinion if you have questions you feel are not adequately answered. Also, whomever is POA for Mom should do a bit of research on treatment options and have questions at the ready.

Cancers are always tough. I speak as an 82 year old with my second bout of breast cancer. I have made decisions that are certain and are charted and written up as to what I will now accept (basically surgery) and as to what I will NOT accept (for me that's chemo and radiation). I have made arrangements and met with all involved to move, if and when necessary to palliative care with "the good meds", thence to hospice where I will make use of our great state's "right to die" laws. I think that in the case of cancers that are skin cancers I would opt myself for the treatment of creams. Yes, they care painful at times; but I think perhaps so can radiation leave one with painful skin lesions.

As I said, cancers are tough. So is EVERYTHING when you are older, from compressed spine on down. As an INDIVIDUAL with needs as clear and individual as her own fingerprint, your mom is one person with one illness and one medical team who has a tough decision now, and you are there to help the best you can. My daughter is currently dealing with torn muscles, literally torn away from the trochanter of her hip; she's two decades younger than me, but still dealing with pain and with decisions that have uncertain outcomes. It's life. For sure.

I wish your mom the VERY BEST of care and TREATMENT and I am happy you are there to support. Just do know that we all have our hope and our expectations. But there is always a few "bites" from reality in the whole thing. Lean on the medical team. GOOD LUCK. The very best of luck, really.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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LC2024 Aug 29, 2024
Thank you for your input. Appreciated
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Is there dementia at play? If she’s in “pretty good health” I’d assume not and treatment should be her choice to make.
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Reply to ZippyZee
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LC2024 Aug 29, 2024
Thank you and yes I will let her make the decision once we get all the info
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I have rosacea and I used that exact cream on my cheek last year for a precancerous spot . It was alittle uncomfortable , not too bad , but like already said , it was just one small spot . I’m 59.

My father did the radiation on his nose in his 80’s . He was fine too . Although he may not have complained about it because it was nothing compared to the treatments he had endured for metastatic melanoma that had spread from his back .
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Reply to waytomisery
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LC2024 Aug 29, 2024
Thank you for info. Glad to hear the cream was not terrible as you also have rosacea. It’s a small spot. 🙏
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