Mass removed from Biden's chest last month is cancerous

[redheadbaker]

Gifted article: wapo.st/3IGx4sg

White House physician says small lesion removed from Biden’s chest was cancerous

President Biden had one cancerous skin lesion removed from his chest on Feb. 16, his longtime doctor Kevin C. O’Connor said in a letter Friday. O’Connor said that all cancerous tissue was successfully removed, and no further treatment is needed.

A biopsy confirmed that the small lesion was basal cell carcinoma, O’Connor said. The biopsy was performed on the same day as Biden’s annual physical.

Basal cell carcinoma, O’Connor explained, does not tend to spread or metastasize, as more serious skin cancers, like melanoma, do. This type of carcinoma is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States.

[sonrisa]

I’m glad it looks like they got it all. And I’m glad he is being transparent about his health.

But….

I don’t think this will affect his plans to run again but it will become ammunition for those campaigning against him.

This is going to be a long 20 months.

[underwaterrhymes]

Basal cell is curable. Almost every single relative I have has had it.

I feel like the news did some serious fear mongering.

[mofongo]

Mar 3, 2023 19:16:22 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Basal cell is curable. Almost every single relative I have has had it.

I feel like the news did some serious fear mongering.

This! The thread title alone!

[TR]

Mar 3, 2023 19:16:22 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Basal cell is curable. Almost every single relative I have has had it.

I feel like the news did some serious fear mongering.

Yes. It wasn’t melanoma. Not that skin cancer isn’t a big deal, but these are often just removed and done with.

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2023 20:14:28 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Mar 3, 2023 19:16:22 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Basal cell is curable. Almost every single relative I have has had it.

I feel like the news did some serious fear mongering.

This! The thread title alone!

I gasped when I got the alert from MSNBC. And then I read the article and I rolled my eyes. Just about anyone who has spent significant time in the sun has had basal cell, FFS. My dad has had one removed like fifteen times.

[TR]

Mar 3, 2023 20:20:19 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Mar 3, 2023 20:14:28 GMT -5 mofongo said:

This! The thread title alone!

I gasped when I got the alert from MSNBC. And then I read the article and I rolled my eyes. Just about anyone who has spent time in the sun has had basal cell, FFS.

Right? I would be more surprised if someone in their 80s had a thorough skin check and DIDN’T have at least one small cancerous spot.

[redheadbaker]

Mar 3, 2023 20:14:28 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Mar 3, 2023 19:16:22 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Basal cell is curable. Almost every single relative I have has had it.

I feel like the news did some serious fear mongering.

This! The thread title alone!

Stating a fact is fear-mongering? He had a mass removed. It was cancerous. Despite what someone else in this thread said, it's not always "removed and done with." It wasn't for my dad. It wasn't fatal but it certainly wasn't removed and done with. 

[underwaterrhymes]

Mar 3, 2023 20:34:02 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Mar 3, 2023 20:14:28 GMT -5 mofongo said:

This! The thread title alone!

Stating a fact is fear-mongering? He had a mass removed. It was cancerous. Despite what someone else in this thread said, it's not always "removed and done with." It wasn't for my dad. It wasn't fatal but it certainly wasn't removed and done with. 

Basal cell is extremely common and curable. I’m sorry your dad’s experience involved more in depth treatment, but it’s irresponsible the way they handled the headlines.

[mofongo]

Mar 3, 2023 20:34:02 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Mar 3, 2023 20:14:28 GMT -5 mofongo said:

This! The thread title alone!

Stating a fact is fear-mongering? He had a mass removed. It was cancerous. Despite what someone else in this thread said, it's not always "removed and done with." It wasn't for my dad. It wasn't fatal but it certainly wasn't removed and done with. 

Well, a mass removed from the chest sounds internal, to me, and sounds much more serious than having a basal cell skin cancer removed.

[goldengirlz]

Mar 3, 2023 20:59:40 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Mar 3, 2023 20:34:02 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Stating a fact is fear-mongering? He had a mass removed. It was cancerous. Despite what someone else in this thread said, it's not always "removed and done with." It wasn't for my dad. It wasn't fatal but it certainly wasn't removed and done with. 

Well, a mass removed from the chest sounds internal, to me, and sounds much more serious than having a basal cell skin cancer removed.

Yeah, a “small lesion” is not a mass. Not even close.

[basilosaurus]

Mar 3, 2023 22:27:23 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Mar 3, 2023 20:59:40 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Well, a mass removed from the chest sounds internal, to me, and sounds much more serious than having a basal cell skin cancer removed.

Yeah, a “small lesion” is not a mass. Not even close.

yep. A mass to me is an internal tumor. I probably shed more on my recent heel callus. I don't recommend doing that either because it's painful. An old man living a life before sunscreen is no more newsworthy than me walking 10mi/day in new shoes without proper prep.

Now can it be possibly bad? Sure. We're pretty sure dad's wife's dad had a squamous skin lesion that ultimately led to his death. That's extremely extremely rare.

But having grown up in subtropics, I had friends with these things removed before even heading off to college.

This is as newsworthy as the bidens both ordering rigatoni.

But, yes, continue your skin checks! I'm glad he's doing it and being transparent. Actually, nevermind, I don't want to know what skin issues tfg had.

[devonpow]

That headline is ridiculous. Basal cell is the most common skin cancer - it’s very rare for it to be dangerous. I believe a 0.05% rate. I had a basal cell removed this year. My 75 year old dad has had like 8 removed. Jill Biden had the same thing a few months ago and the headlines certainly weren’t “OMG CANCER”.

It’s good to be transparent. I hope this brings awareness to the importance of yearly skin checks (good reminder to all of us to schedule!) But that’s it.

[rubytue]

Mar 3, 2023 20:34:02 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Mar 3, 2023 20:14:28 GMT -5 mofongo said:

This! The thread title alone!

Stating a fact is fear-mongering? He had a mass removed. It was cancerous. Despite what someone else in this thread said, it's not always "removed and done with." It wasn't for my dad. It wasn't fatal but it certainly wasn't removed and done with. 

“Mass” really does make it sound like it’s a bigger deal. There is no “good cancer,” but this is also very very unlikely to be lifespan altering. My stomach dropped when I saw “cancerous mass.” But, it could also just be triggering because of my own history (lymphoma twice and several skin pre cancers). But the headline was “small lesion”, which is, IMHO, different than a “mass.”

Im sorry about your father. Most people I’ve know with basal cell carcinoma have a chemo cream for some month, so it’s not just a surgical excision. Cancer sucks no matter what. 

[wanderingback]

Mar 4, 2023 14:53:47 GMT -5 devonpow said:

That headline is ridiculous. Basal cell is the most common skin cancer - it’s very rare for it to be dangerous. I believe a 0.05% rate. I had a basal cell removed this year. My 75 year old dad has had like 8 removed. Jill Biden had the same thing a few months ago and the headlines certainly weren’t “OMG CANCER”.

It’s good to be transparent. I hope this brings awareness to the importance of yearly skin checks (good reminder to all of us to schedule!) But that’s it.

I don’t think the headline is that ridiculous - "White House physician says small lesion removed from Biden’s chest was cancerous" seems pretty accurate. It was small, it was a lesion, it was cancerous and it was on his chest. I assumed skin because if it was a lesion on his lung or something I would’ve assumed they would’ve said “removed from lung." And it’s not a lie to say it’s cancerous. Most people aren’t going to know what basal cell carcinoma means.

[basilosaurus]

Most people are going to know. It's that common. And mass vs lesion they will also understand.

I'm referring to the hysterical headlines. Including here. Not discussion

[Gato]

I have had this. It was no big deal, except obviously now I am super careful about using sunscreen. It, and the chemo cream I took for two months after, didn't affect my overall health in any way.

[pixy0stix]

I need to make an appointment with a dermatologist for a skin check.

[Michelle]

Mar 5, 2023 20:29:39 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I need to make an appointment with a dermatologist for a skin check.

I hope this is the takeaway for everyone.

I've been the opposite of a sun worshipper my whole life. My nickname by multiple groups who don't know each other has been "casper" in the past - that's how pale I've lived most of my life.

I had a melanoma on my shoulder 2 years ago. I got it removed and they got it all before it dropped into the lymphatic system, but at 44 I got it after guarding myself from the sun most of my life.

Check your skin peeps!


That said - agreeing about the headline - "Mass removed from biden's chest last month" also sounded like an internal mass like lung cancer, bone cancer, or other major tumor. Not a skin lesion. Even if it was melanoma and not the less serious kind, calling that out in the headline is helpful for comparison.

[simpsongal]

Agreed that the article title/framing is misleading.

I feel some kind of way about it b/c my dad's friend died last week of a squamous cell carcinoma that metastasized to his heart and pacemaker. He had a myriad of other health conditions, but that's what ultimately did him in.

Schedule your skin checks folks.

[Vespasia]

I'm going to use this thread to vent about something.

I had my first skin check a few months ago at the large medical institution where I work. Both my father and my sister have had skin cancer but I honestly don't know if it was basal cell or melanoma. Both were easily removed with no long term issues so I assume the former. 

I saw a resident and an attending, both of whom seemed mildly surprised that I was there. They downplayed my risk and essentially made me feel like I was wasting their time. They also said they didn't have a follow up protocol for someone as low risk as me and that I should come back in 3-5 years. 

I'm still annoyed about it and regret not providing feedback via the post-visit survey. I'm going to mention it to my PCP when I see her next month and will absolutely go elsewhere next time! 

[Michelle]

Mar 6, 2023 11:10:41 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I'm going to use this thread to vent about something.

I had my first skin check a few months ago at the large medical institution where I work. Both my father and my sister have had skin cancer but I honestly don't know if it was basal cell or melanoma. Both were easily removed with no long term issues so I assume the former. 

I saw a resident and an attending, both of whom seemed mildly surprised that I was there. They downplayed my risk and essentially made me feel like I was wasting their time. They also said they didn't have a follow up protocol for someone as low risk as me and that I should come back in 3-5 years. 

I'm still annoyed about it and regret not providing feedback via the post-visit survey. I'm going to mention it to my PCP when I see her next month and will absolutely go elsewhere next time! 

Your annoyance is deserved and well placed.

I should be relatively low risk and yet I had a nickel-sized melanoma on my shoulder - they should be glad you are coming in for a check and preventative maintenance!

I hope you find a good alternative location. So sorry that was your experience.

[Scout'sHonor]

Mar 6, 2023 10:32:11 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Agreed that the article title/framing is misleading.

I feel some kind of way about it b/c my dad's friend died last week of a squamous cell carcinoma that metastasized to his heart and pacemaker. He had a myriad of other health conditions, but that's what ultimately did him in.

Schedule your skin checks folks.

 I'm sorry for your friend's loss. My mom was diagnosed with both basal and squamous cells on her face last fall. She decided to not do the Moh's procedure and I'm very mad at her for this. Like, please don't let cancer just keep growing on you!

[MixedBerryJam]

Mar 4, 2023 14:53:47 GMT -5 devonpow said:

That headline is ridiculous. Basal cell is the most common skin cancer - it’s very rare for it to be dangerous. I believe a 0.05% rate. I had a basal cell removed this year. My 75 year old dad has had like 8 removed. Jill Biden had the same thing a few months ago and the headlines certainly weren’t “OMG CANCER”.

It’s good to be transparent. I hope this brings awareness to the importance of yearly skin checks (good reminder to all of us to schedule!) But that’s it.

did they change the headline after getting blowback or something? Bc I see nothing wrong with the article headline, but this thread title is inflammatory, imho. It may technically accurate to call it a mass in that it was a mass of cancer cells, but most of us I think would have said he had a mole removed.

[wanderingback]

Mar 6, 2023 11:10:41 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I'm going to use this thread to vent about something.

I had my first skin check a few months ago at the large medical institution where I work. Both my father and my sister have had skin cancer but I honestly don't know if it was basal cell or melanoma. Both were easily removed with no long term issues so I assume the former. 

I saw a resident and an attending, both of whom seemed mildly surprised that I was there. They downplayed my risk and essentially made me feel like I was wasting their time. They also said they didn't have a follow up protocol for someone as low risk as me and that I should come back in 3-5 years. 

I'm still annoyed about it and regret not providing feedback via the post-visit survey. I'm going to mention it to my PCP when I see her next month and will absolutely go elsewhere next time! 

That is really shitty they made you feel that way!
A doctor should never make anyone feel shitty for coming in with a concern. They def should not have downplayed your concerns, how frustrating.

There aren’t current guidelines in regards to benefits of regular skin checks at a set interval so it’s definitely a personalized approach (as opposed to guidelines for cervical cancer for example), but that’s the doctor’s job to talk to patients about the nuances and risks vs benefits for each individual.

[wanderingback]

Mar 6, 2023 13:19:09 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Mar 4, 2023 14:53:47 GMT -5 devonpow said:

That headline is ridiculous. Basal cell is the most common skin cancer - it’s very rare for it to be dangerous. I believe a 0.05% rate. I had a basal cell removed this year. My 75 year old dad has had like 8 removed. Jill Biden had the same thing a few months ago and the headlines certainly weren’t “OMG CANCER”.

It’s good to be transparent. I hope this brings awareness to the importance of yearly skin checks (good reminder to all of us to schedule!) But that’s it.

did they change the headline after getting blowback or something? Bc I see nothing wrong with the article headline, but this thread title is inflammatory, imho. It may technically accurate to call it a mass in that it was a mass of cancer cells, but most of us I think would have said he had a mole removed.

Yes I’m guessing they must’ve changed the headline because I was very confused as well, as I said above, "small lesion" does not seem like a horrible headline.

[Velar Fricative]

Mar 6, 2023 11:10:41 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I'm going to use this thread to vent about something.

I had my first skin check a few months ago at the large medical institution where I work. Both my father and my sister have had skin cancer but I honestly don't know if it was basal cell or melanoma. Both were easily removed with no long term issues so I assume the former. 

I saw a resident and an attending, both of whom seemed mildly surprised that I was there. They downplayed my risk and essentially made me feel like I was wasting their time. They also said they didn't have a follow up protocol for someone as low risk as me and that I should come back in 3-5 years. 

I'm still annoyed about it and regret not providing feedback via the post-visit survey. I'm going to mention it to my PCP when I see her next month and will absolutely go elsewhere next time! 

That is awful! You should definitely go elsewhere. I go like clockwork every year because I'm really pale and didn't wear sunblock for many years as a kid. There is no family history and no problematic spots that my derm caught last month but she has never made me feel like I shouldn't be there. Just told me everything looks good and to make my appointment for next year. 

[gerberdaisy]

Vespasia, I would look for somewhere else. I go every year, no history of skin cancer, but I have a lot of moles. My check takes about 10 minutes, and I'm back the next year. Maybe look for a derm outside of a hospital? I see a PA, and she's great.

[chickadee77]

I will add that even a basal cell can be serious in other ways. My H let one go for way too long on his face. Seven Mohs procedures and a round of plastic surgery later, the scar is barely noticeable anymore after ten years, but they said if he had waited another year, he likely would have lost his eye and part of his nose.

So even if you think it's no big deal, get it taken care of! There are other undesirable outcomes that a lot of people don't think about.

[sonrisa]

Mar 6, 2023 13:19:09 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Mar 4, 2023 14:53:47 GMT -5 devonpow said:

That headline is ridiculous. Basal cell is the most common skin cancer - it’s very rare for it to be dangerous. I believe a 0.05% rate. I had a basal cell removed this year. My 75 year old dad has had like 8 removed. Jill Biden had the same thing a few months ago and the headlines certainly weren’t “OMG CANCER”.

It’s good to be transparent. I hope this brings awareness to the importance of yearly skin checks (good reminder to all of us to schedule!) But that’s it.

did they change the headline after getting blowback or something? Bc I see nothing wrong with the article headline, but this thread title is inflammatory, imho. It may technically accurate to call it a mass in that it was a mass of cancer cells, but most of us I think would have said he had a mole removed.

Yes - the linked article and the concurrent NY Times article both had inflammatory initial headlines similar to the thread title when I first saw them. Both were later edited.