Woman undergoes nose reconstruction after cancer diagnosis

A woman named Mel Frisby, 39, experienced significant changes to her nose due to a rare type of cancer, leading to the removal of approximately 80% of her nose and subsequent reconstruction using cartilage from her rib. The incident began in September 2022 while she was on holiday in Turkey, where she noticed a nosebleed after jumping into the sea. Upon returning home, she discovered a small lump on her nose that felt like bone. Her husband encouraged her to seek medical attention at Leeds General Infirmary, where she was referred to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. Nine days later, she was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone in her nasal bridge, which required surgery and an eight-day hospital stay. However, her condition worsened, leading to further examinations. A CT scan revealed a soft tissue mass, and on November 7, 2022, she was diagnosed with high-stage sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. On November 24, 2022, she underwent surgery to remove the majority of her nose, followed by reconstructive surgery a week later, which involved using rib cartilage and skin from her forehead. After 30 rounds of radiotherapy, her reconstructed nose collapsed due to radiation damage. Three years later, Mel is cancer-free but has been informed by her hospital that no further surgical options are available to repair her nose. She has been sharing her experience on social media to raise awareness about head and neck cancers. Mel described the emotional toll of her surgeries and the impact on her identity, stating, "I was a woman and they took my identity." She continues to have follow-up checks every three months and is exploring potential options for improving her quality of life, including the possibility of amputation.