In even rarer instances, this type of BCC can become life-threatening. Basal cell carcinoma is quite common, and the number of reported cases in the U. Reviewed by: Julie K. Karen, MD Ronald L. Moy, MD. Want to spread the word about skin cancer awareness? Complete the form and you may end up on our website. Basal Cell Carcinoma Overview. The Most Common Skin Cancer. What is a basal cell? What does BCC look like? How dangerous is BCC? How widespread is BCC? Risk Factors.
Warning Signs. A simple excision is a method that cuts out the tumor and some healthy cells around it. The incision is stitched back together. Cryosurgery is a treatment method that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells. A specialized technique, Mohs micrographically controlled surgery, is used to treat large skin cancers or skin cancers that have come back.
For Mohs surgery, the doctor removes a layer of skin containing the basal carcinoma cells and examines it under a microscope right away. The process is repeated until the skin samples are found to be free of cancer cells. The advantages of Mohs surgery are that only the minimum amount of tissue necessary is removed and the specimens are carefully examined. Mohs surgery is associated with a high cure rate for basal cell carcinoma. Skin grafting and reconstructive surgery may be necessary after the removal of large basal cell carcinomas.
Scarring after skin cancer removal is common. Cosmetic surgery techniques can improve the appearance of scars. Some people choose to cover their scars with make-up. Researchers are studying medicated lotions as a treatment option to surgery to reduce scars and disfigurement. You should perform a full body skin and mole inspection monthly. It may be helpful to use a mirror or have someone else look at areas of your skin that are difficult for you to see.
Promptly report any suspicious moles or areas of skin to your doctor. It is important to have your doctor perform regularly scheduled full body skin and mole checks. You should make and attend all of your follow up appointments. You may be able to prevent skin cancer by limiting the amount of time that you are exposed to the sun. Anyone that is exposed to the sun should wear a sunblock that blocks both UV A and B sunrays.
A sunscreen is a different product. Sunscreens allow you to spend a longer amount of time in the sun without burning than you could if you were not wearing sunscreen. An SPF of 15 provides protection from burning for minutes.
Sunscreens may reduce your risk of getting skin cancer, but it is not a guarantee. If you are in the sun for a long time, even with sunscreen, you are at risk for developing skin cancer. Sunscreen may reduce your risk of developing some skin cancer and precancerous conditions, but researchers have not proven that sunscreen prevents basal cell carcinoma.
It is important to discard old sunblock and sunscreen. Their effectiveness is reduced over time. You should apply sunblock and sunscreen even in the winter. Remember to apply it to all of your skin that is exposed including your hands, ears, lips, lower legs, the backs of your knees, and the tops of your feet.
A good way to remember this is that if your shadow is shorter than you are tall, it is not a good time to be out in the sun. You can still be outside, but seek shade. If you must spend time in the sun, it is smart to wear hats with wide brims and tightly woven fabrics that are especially made to block the sun.
Some clothing is rated for its SPF factor. Your doctor is happy to refer you to such clothing suppliers. Wear sunglasses that block UV A and B sunrays. Wrap-around styled sunglasses protect your eyes and your eye area. Sun-related cancers can occur inside of the eye. Wear sunglasses and make sure that your eye doctor checks for cancer at each of your eye exams.
You should avoid sun tanning outside and sun tanning lamps or booths. Tanning beds and lamps give off harmful UV rays and can cause sunburns. An alternative is to use self-tanning products or spray on coloring products. Teach your children about protecting their skin in the sun. This is important because many skin cancers result from sunburns that occur before age Make sure that your children learn to apply and reapply sunblock and sunscreen when they are playing outdoors.
You should stop smoking and avoid cancer causing chemicals. Wear protective masks and gear as instructed. Am I at Risk. Untreated basal cell carcinoma can become large and disfiguring if they are at places of concern, such as the face, nose, and ears. Radiation or chemotherapy treatments may be necessary if your cancer has spread to other sites. Untreated basal cell carcinoma can spread, in rare instances, to the muscles, nerves, bones, and brain.
In rare cases, it can result in death. People with one basal cell carcinoma are at risk for recurrence and the development of future skin cancers. Researchers have advanced the formulas in sunscreen and sunblock to offer better protection.
Many cosmetics offer sun protection. New products are being developed since the damaging effects of UVA rays have been discovered fairly recently. That said, many of these same physicians will prescribe electrosurgery or Mohs surgery as a treatment for patients with BCC. Electrosurgery — Despite the name, electrosurgery is not quite as invasive as some people might think. This approach to treating and curing BCC entails scraping or shaving off the cancer growths on the skin with what is known as a curette.
For reference, a curette is a sharp medical instrument that has a ring-shaped tip attached to it. From there, the physician will use a chemical agent, such as Cisplatin, Busulfan, or Altretamine, to kill off any cancer cells left behind. This procedure, according to several MOHs plastic surgeon physicians, is a go-to for treating patients with early-stage BCC. Mohs surgery — Slightly more invasive than electrosurgery, Mohs surgery, named after Frederic E. Mohs, MD, is considered by most physicians to be a better choice for resolving tumors related to BCC.
It is worth noting that the surgical procedure causes very little damage to nearby healthy skin tissue. To begin, the physician will cut away the tumor and a small amount of the tissue that surrounds it. That tissue is then examined by a lab technician who will determine whether or not it contains cancer cells. If cancerous cells are present, the physician will cut away more of the surrounding tissue to ensure the patient is cancer-free and to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
It is worth noting that radiation therapy and cryosurgery are also treatment options that many physicians will recommend to patients with BCC. If there is a silver lining associated with being diagnosed with BCC, it would be that it is one of only a few cancers that seldom metastasizes to other organs in the body and is rarely fatal.
However, complications can occur if individuals do not seek prompt medical treatment.
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