I have read in the literature, SCC cutaneous mets are rare but when they do happen, about 10% of the time, they are from oral cancer. What's worrisome is if positive, prognosis is grim due to systemic involvement. Online pics show larger bumps on the head and neck, and it seems early for me to be getting them, however, I'm concerned this is how they start:

I am 2 months out of Tx, and I have a few spots pop up on my face. They are really small bumps, tender, and they seem to spontaneously open up creating a pinhole crater.

I have had occasional adult acne but these seem uncharacteristic of the past because they are multiple and the way they present. I'm hoping it's something I ate (starting to tolerate a variety of foods) and/or my weakened immune system from treatment. Also, my skin has been really dry since treatment and probably prone to blocked pores causing acne despite keeping well hydrated and using a humidifier (winter heating doesn't help). So maybe that's why they look the way they do and the healing may be delayed as well.

Of course, I would be more concerned if they progressed into nodules but right now they're just tiny bumps. I read on another forum, a survivor said he gets these bumps of adult acne and they just go away. No where else can I find someone describing something similar. I guess time will tell if mine do the same or persist.

I am going to call my doc(s) on Monday.

It seems a lot of you feel the same, every new pain, bump, symptom, we are looking over our back.

Anyone experience a facial breakout like that post treatment?
(I was not on Erbitux)

Thanks for reading

Hi there..
Well I'm not sure - but others may be along to give you some advice. The cutaneous mets I've heard of are usually in the neck region - related to extra capular extension, and node involvement. I haven't heard about it on the face though I would expect that if it were it would be rash like and confined to one area rather than all over (or in different areas) it sounds to me like acne or as you said maybe a reaction to food. Now remember you've been through radiation and frankly this soon out your skin is still not normal... So if you do have acne or a break out your skin may not behave the same way it used to. Also cancer isnt something That would heal, so if they do clear up, chances are its no cancer.

But do have it checked out and best of luck.

Thank you Cheryl for calming me down with some rationale points.
It's still a little early but I think some of the spots are shrinking, less inflamed, and resulting in a small scab. As you said, cancer does not heal.
I have contacted my team and hopefully someone can see it soon.
Maybe by then, they'll start healing more.

Throws me off that I have never had this type of acne as an adult.
The thought of circulating SCC cells causing this brings unimaginable anxiety.

Then again, you may be right, having gone through extensive chemo+rads does change a person in how they might acquire benign conditions and the way they heal.

Hi, Rodger
Stress can cause all sorts of issues, and I'm sure you're going to feel a lot better when yours bumps heal and you see your doctors. In the meantime, you might want to look at using as gentle a skin regimen as possible - Eucerin or Aveeno Ultra Calming (you may have to look in the girls section :-( for them). Also, if the bumps are where you shave, maybe go natural for a bit.

Drinking additional fluid (I know its still probably difficult) will help.

Keep us updated, and stay busy.

Roger - are you being treated at the cancer center in Hamilton? If so do they have a rads clinic? My mom was treated there (3.5 pack a day smoker - with lung cancer) I can't remember if they had a standard walk in rads clinic. PMH does - it's a drop in if you have any issues - call them see if they have a drop in and they'll have someone (likely your radiation oncllogist) take a look at it. if he's not available here's usually someone around who can take a look - plus the nurses at our clinc have seen it all - they could probably tell you right off. This may ease your mind until you can see your team! good luck. Plus chemo affects all cells in the body! And there's a system called the fight or flight response in play when you are stressed - think about how stressed your body is during and after treatment - this causes low circulation anywhere except vital life processes.. So your skin hair nails etc. don't do things the way they used to - they can't - once your body starts up these normal processes again while you are healing there are bound to be some irregularities. Take care -

Hi Cheryl,
Yes, in Hamilton, but no walk-in clinic. I received a reply from my onc's nurse. She sees about 300 H&N patients per year and has been at it for a number of years, and she says she has never encountered someone with skin mets. She thinks it's a dermatological issue maybe related to stress like what you said Maria.
It's tough, but I need to give it some time, and see how they heal.
I mean I wish I could see a seasoned dermatologist for him/her to say, "nope, that's not what cutaneous SCC looks like" but you know how health care works in Canada, a specialist appt takes forever. And they're too small to biopsy unless a chunk is scooped out of one of them and that seems over doing it if indeed it's just a form of acne.
That PMH clinic sounds great. Wish I could go there and get an opinion, even from the nurses.
I do have an appt with my rad onc Feb24. If by then, even if 1 out of the 7 have shrunk, healed, or even partially healed, I'll be okay. The appt is actually for a sore throat I've had over a week and that seems to be subsiding. Hopefully, I get a scope on that day. I haven't been scoped since finishing treatment.
Geez, new survivor anxiety is terrible. I've heard as time goes by, it gets easier.
Thanks,
Roger

Hi! My husband had a similar issue pop up after treatment as well. He was diagnosed with Cellulitis at first. A few months later when the skin issue was still there, they sent him to a dermatologist. They told him to try some Head and Shoulders shampoo and let it sit on his face for a few minutes. After doing this everyday for a few weeks, his face was much clearer. It looked like a scaly mess before hand. I thought it was psoriasis. I hope the problem is as easily solved for you!! :O) Keep your chin up! It is a very long road, but my husband has finally gotten back to about 70%. Seems like you and he have a lot in common!! You can read his story at http://creativepsychological.com/thrivingit/

Blessings!

Brenda

Update: All spots have pretty much healed... at a very slow rate, and at this point to my dismay, they are leaving dark pigmentation BUT they did not grow, they shrank, SO they are not cutaneous mets :-)

It was probably stress-related cystic acne, which worried me because I've never had an adult breakout like that, and I'll have to be patient for the hyperpigmentation to go away if it does at all.
Interestingly, I've noticed any skin healing since receiving Cisplatin has resulted in darker pigmentation, like my old stomach tube exit.