answer:My husband has had many skin cancers removed including SCCs on his face and one was near his eye. Your MIL is correct that if she leaves it, it may kill her and yes, if she leaves it, yes, it could cause disfigurement. I found this resource. While I can understand she’s unhappy about undergoing more treatment, the sooner she gets it dealt with, the less intrusive any treatment will be. This is what that resource said about leaving them untreated. “Squamous cell carcinomas usually remain confined to the epidermis (the top skin layer) for some time. However, the larger these tumors grow, the more extensive the treatment needed. They eventually penetrate the underlying tissues, which can lead to major disfigurement, sometimes even the loss of a nose, eye or ear. A small percentage spread (metastasize) to distant tissues and organs. When this happens, squamous cell carcinomas frequently can be life-threatening. Metastases most often arise on sites of chronic inflammatory skin conditions and on the ear, nose, lip, and mucosal regions, including the mouth, nostrils, genitals, anus, and the lining of the internal organs.” Small consolation I know, but I’m currently in nagging mode to get my husband to make his routine appointment with his skin specialist. He knows he has to go regularly but he puts it off and it worries me that he’ll leave it longer than he should and there will be some nasty he’s not aware of.