Dry Spot of Skin Leads to Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Nose Reconstruction | Kaiser Permanente
Channel: Kaiser Permanente
Date: 2018-07-26

What started off as a dry spot of skin on Dan Gillespie’s nose turned out to be something far more serious – basal cell carcinoma. “It would go away for a little bit and then come back,” he said. When it appeared to be growing larger, Dan knew he needed to get it checked. 

The results of the biopsy revealed that Dan’s diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma, a very slow growing cancer. “However, the quicker we treat it, the better the treatment will ultimately be,” said Michelle Draznin, MD, Dan’s dermatologist. 

“I never felt, when I was going and talking to the nursing staff or doctors, that it was something that couldn’t be handled and taken care of,” said Dan.

Due to its growth, the tumor encompassed about half of his nose. His care team successfully reconstructed his nose after removing the tumor. 

“Everybody that I’ve come into contact with at Kaiser Permanente has been very nice, very knowledgeable. They’re really good about getting you plugged in with the right care,” said Dan. “And they take care of business.”