Basal Cell Carcinoma

Description

• Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It usually grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it can become larger and more damaging to nearby skin if left untreated.

  BCC often appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, nose, ears, neck, and arms. It may look like a pearly bump, a shiny pink or red spot, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a patch of skin that is scaly or bleeds easily.

  With early detection, treatment is usually simple and highly effective. Common options include surgical removal, electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, or topical medications, depending on the size and location.

When to come in?

You should schedule a dermatology visit right away if you notice:

• A new skin growth that does not heal within a few weeks.

• A pearly or translucent bump that may be pink, red, or flesh-colored.

• A spot that looks like a persistent sore, scab, or open wound that bleeds, oozes, or crusts over repeatedly.

• A flat, scaly patch that slowly enlarges.

• A lesion with a rolled border or central indentation.

• Any suspicious change on sun-exposed areas (face, ears, scalp, neck, chest, arms, or hands).

Even though basal cell carcinoma is the most common and least aggressive type of skin cancer, it can continue to grow and cause significant local damage if untreated. Early detection makes treatment easier and helps minimize scarring.

How is it treated? 

The good news is that most BCCs can be treated easily and successfully, especially when found early. The type of treatment depends on the size, depth, and location of the cancer. Common options include:

• Surgical Excision: The cancerous spot is cut out along with a small margin of healthy skin to ensure it’s fully removed.

• Mohs Surgery: A precise, layer-by-layer removal done mostly on the face or delicate areas, offering the highest cure rate while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

• Electrodesiccation & Curettage (ED&C): The growth is gently scraped away, and the base is treated with heat to destroy remaining cancer cells.

• Cryotherapy (Freezing): Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze and destroy the cancer cells (used for smaller, superficial lesions).

• Topical Medications: Prescription creams or gels may be used for very superficial BCCs.

• Radiation Therapy: Occasionally used if surgery isn’t an option.