Basal Cell Carcinoma

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma represents 90% of skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer. On the face, it usually starts as a reddened papule or nodule with a smooth surface and a translucent, pearly quality. Basal Cell Cancer will affect one in five Americans. It is most often found on the face, neck, hands, or other parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun. Because of a poorly formed stroma, it is fragile and often bleeds. On the torso, the lesion has an irregular surface, bright red color, sometimes scaly, with a distinct edge. More women are getting BCCs than in the past; nonetheless, men still outnumber them greatly.

The usual cause of Basal cell cancer is chronic sun overexposure and sunburns. Chronic exposure to sunlight is the cause of almost all basal cell carcinomas, which occur most frequently on exposed parts of the body. Basal cell carcinoma is usually a problem for people with fair skin and a poor ability to tan. Other determining factors include your family's history of skin cancer problems and an impaired immune system.

Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Histologic examination is required. Large or recurrent basal cell cancers are treated best with Mohs' surgery (a specialized type of microscopically controlled surgery). Imiquimod and 5-FU are approved for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC).