Living With Verrucous Carcinoma

Being told you have cancer is a shock, even when it's a type with a very good outlook. Verrucous carcinoma grows slowly, rarely spreads, and most people are cured by surgery. But treatment, recovery and the months afterwards can still be hard, physically and emotionally. This page covers what many people go through and where to find help.

After diagnosis

It's common to feel frightened, angry, numb or even relieved to finally have an answer, especially if a "wart" or mouth patch was treated as something harmless for a long time. Some people want to learn everything about their condition; others prefer to know only what they need. Both are normal.

Useful questions to ask your team:

• Where exactly is the tumour, and how deep does it go?
• What surgery do you recommend, and what will recovery involve?
• Will I need reconstruction, or any other treatment?
• How often will I have check-ups afterwards?
• Who should I contact if I have worries between appointments?

You can read more about what verrucous carcinoma is and treatment options.

Recovering from treatment

Recovery depends a lot on where the tumour was and how much tissue had to be removed:

• Foot: you may need to keep weight off the foot for a while, use crutches, and take time off work, especially if your job involves standing or walking.
• Mouth: surgery can affect eating, speaking and appearance for a time, particularly if part of the jaw was removed and reconstructed. A dietitian and a speech and language therapist can help.
• Genital or anal area: recovery can be uncomfortable and may affect sex and going to the toilet for a while. It's worth raising these concerns with your team, even if it feels awkward.

Scarring is common. If you're worried about how you look, talk to your doctor or nurse; reconstructive options and support with body image are available. See post-treatment care for more.

Follow-up and worry about it coming back

Verrucous carcinoma can come back in the same place, particularly if not all of it was removed. In the mouth, new tumours can also develop nearby in people who have other precancerous patches. So regular check-ups are important.

Many people find check-ups bring back anxiety, and worry about cancer returning is very common. It usually eases with time. It can help to:

• ask your team which changes you should look out for, so you know when to get in touch
• focus on things you can control, such as stopping tobacco use, which lowers the risk of new mouth tumours
• talk about how you feel rather than keeping worries to yourself

Looking after your emotional health

Fear, sadness, anger, guilt and feeling alone are all normal reactions to a cancer diagnosis. Things that many people find helpful include:

• talking to family, friends or your specialist nurse
• keeping up activities you enjoy, as far as you can
• gentle exercise, relaxation or mindfulness
• writing down your feelings

If low mood or anxiety is getting worse or not lifting, speak to your GP or cancer team. They can refer you to a counsellor or psychologist. In the UK, the Macmillan Support Line is free on 0808 808 00 00, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

Support for family and carers

People close to you may also find the diagnosis hard. Practical help, such as getting to appointments, help at home during recovery, or simply someone to talk to, can make a big difference. Carers need support too, and cancer charities offer information and helplines for family and friends.

Finding others who understand

Because verrucous carcinoma is rare, you may not meet anyone else with it. General cancer support groups and online communities, and groups for people with mouth or head and neck cancer, can still be a valuable source of understanding and practical tips. See support groups and resources.

This page is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your own doctor or care team.