Hello Everyone,

My husband has had Basal Cell (twice) and Squamous Cell (once). He had Mohs Surgery for all 3. My question is: Since his cells have been damaged by cancerous cells, what is the likelyhood of him developing another form of cancer (i.e. lung cancer)?

He has been cancer-free for 1 1/2 years. We both know the chances of him developing skin cancer at another site are pretty high.

Thank you for any information given.

Sincerely,
mrsgkr

I guess no one here knows the answer.
I'll ask the doc.
Thanks

Just curious to see if you ever asked your doctor about the risk of having other cancers develop? I've had BC Carcinoma and have wondered the same thing...

Yes, I have asked, but no one can give me a straight answer

I have asked my doctors and my family`s doctors and the unanimous reply seems to be the same: noone knows for sure, and most likely, because of the fact that there are cancer cells in his body, there is a chance that the cancer he used to have will return (depending on what he does to prevent it`s return). Also, if his cancer was a metastatic type, a cell or microcopic tumor can lodge somewhere in the body and begin growing there. there is a difference between "lung cancer" and a "metastisist", actual lung cancer where part of the lung tissue becomes cancerous is much harder to beat than a cancer that attaches to a part of the lung or anywhere else and keeps growing itself making a clump or tumor, this metastising cancer is easily removed as long as it hasnt gone long undetected.
Also Most cancers will show an immune system response under the microscope so if his cancer wasn`t to severe he may never have trouble with it again.

Actually it's my understanding that basal cell and squamous cell very seldom spread to other sights in the body. They mainly spread locally on the skin. Once the legions are removed, that is very likely the end of it. But once skin cancer developes on someone they are likely to get other skin cancers, not because it spread, but because that person is predisposed to skin cancer due to heredity or sun damage. So once a person has had skin cancer they must always be on guard for new legions. Melanoma, on the other hand, is a beast of a different nature. It will spread and metastasize if not caught and removed on time.

Thank you for all the replies.
Thankfully, my husband has been cancer-free since his last operation. I hope and pray it stays that way.

mrsgkr