Basal Cell Carcinoma and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
What are basal cell carcinoma and superficial basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in humans and the most common skin cancer. A basal cell carcinoma typically begins as a painless “pimple-like” bump that can be pink or skin-colored. This lesion will grow very slowly over time until a point when it may suddenly grow more quickly. Often the lesion will be very fragile and will bleed easily. It may appear to heal, but never entirely resolves. Basal cell carcinoma can arise in all skin types, although is most common in fair-skinned individuals who have had a great amount of sun / ultraviolet exposure throughout their lifetime. Although basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads to lymph nodes or other areas of the body, it can spread locally and destroy soft tissue and cartilage, resulting in significant disfigurement and possible infection. Very few cases of death due to basal carcinoma are reported.
What do basal cell carcinoma and superficial basal cell carcinoma look like?
Basal cell carcinomas may take on a number of forms. They may appear as bleeding, oozing, open sores that persistently crust yet remain unhealed for over three weeks. This is a very common, early sign of basal cell carcinomas. They may also appear as red patches on the arms, legs, shoulders, or chest, which may have either itchiness, pain, or may not feel irritated at all. The latter are typically the superficial basal cell carcinoma type. Other types of basal cell carcinomas appear as pearly, shiny bumps or nodules of white, tan, black, or brown coloration. These may be confused with nevi, especially in darker-skinned individuals. Another form of basal cell carcinoma may appear as a pinkish growth with raised outer borders and depressed crusted or eroded centers. These may grow larger and begin to show tiny blood vessels just underneath the pearly surface. Finally, a less common form of basal cell carcinoma may appear as a whitish scar-like growth with very undefined borders. These types of cancer may be very aggressive. Any growth resembling a basal cell carcinoma should be evaluated by a dermatologist to determine its identity and determine the best treatment plan. If left unchecked, basal cell carcinomas that arise near the eyes, nose, or ears are capable of invading deeply and causing significant damage, even extending into important blood vessels and tissues of the brain.
Who gets basal cell carcinoma and superficial basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinomas are extremely common, generally affecting adults over age 40, although they may occur earlier in individuals who have had extensive sun / ultraviolet exposure (tanning beds) or in those with a lowered immune system. These cancers are especially prevalent among fair-skinned, outdoor workers or sportspersons in the sunniest areas of the United States, and in adults with a history of heavy sun exposure before age 18. They can also arise in darker-skinned individuals. Albinos of all races are especially susceptible to basal cell carcinomas.
What causes basal cell carcinoma and superficial basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinomas are caused by chronic exposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet and / or x-ray radiation.
Berman Skin Institute offers patients skin cancer exams, where you will be evaluated by a professional.
What triggers basal cell carcinoma and superficial basal cell carcinoma? / What can make them worse?
Prolonged sun exposure among individuals with poor tanning capacity increases the risk for acquiring basal cell carcinomas. Other factors contributing to a higher risk for basal cell carcinoma include previous x-ray therapy for facial acne, or having some history of ingestion of arsenic-containing substances during childhood.
How can my basal cell carcinoma and superficial basal cell carcinoma be treated?
Superficial basal cell carcinomas may resolve with topical chemotherapy cream or scraping and electrocautery. Basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck area, especially near the eye, nose, lips and ears or on areas where there is minimal excessive normal skin, can be treated with Mohs micrographic surgery, offered in our offices. For more information on basal cell carcinoma treatments or to schedule a skin check, please call and speak with a representative at the Berman Skin Institute.
Proven effective:
Cure rates are similar to surgery. Most people receiving treatment remain cancer-free.
Painless Procedure:
Pain-free, knife-free and needle-free, no anesthesia or sedation is needed.
Minimal or no scarring:
Outstanding appearance of treatment site.
Minimal loss of use:
Little or no healthy tissue affected so loss of use is minimal compared to surgery.
Minimal side effects:
Accurate delivery of radiation directly to tumor reduces the risk of side effects.
Convenience of short treatment:
Treatment is often given over a few days compared to weeks of alternative treatments and unlike surgery, no recovery time is needed.
State-of-the-art therapy:
Established therapy; continued technological advances providing even more effective treatment. Advances in treatment planning and applicator design facilitate even greater precision in dose delivery and minimizes harmful radiation to surrounding healthy tissues. Excellent efficacy, cosmetic and functional outcomes, combined with reduced risk of side effects, short outpatient treatment times and improved quality of life indicate that brachytherapy is a patient-centered treatment choice. The shorter treatment duration of surface brachytherapy also lowers the total treatment costs.