Basal Cell Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells of the skin. Basal cells are found within the skin to produce new cells when old ones die.

Basal Cell cancer most often develops due to excessive sun exposure on any part of the body that has been in the sun. These cancers often appear on the skin as a lesion or sore that won't heal. Some of the characteristics you can look for include:

• A white, waxy, scar-like lesion
• A skin-colored or pink bump
• A flat, scaly, reddish patch
• A brown, black, or even blue lesion that is raised with an irregular border

Common factors that can increase your risk of basal cell carcinoma are as follows:

• Fair skin
• Chronic sun exposure
• Radiation therapy
• Family history of skin cancer
• Increasing age
• Immune-suppressing drugs
• Exposure to arsenic

Complications of basal cell cancer are:

• The risk for recurrence
• Increased risk for other types of skin cancer such as squamous cell cancer and melanomas
• The cancer may spread (even though it is rare) to any nearby lymph nodes or other areas.

To reduce your risk of basal cell carcinomas you can:

• Avoid the sun
• Wear sunscreen YEAR-ROUND
• Wear protective clothing
• Get a regular skin exam with your dermatologist
• Avoid tanning beds

Most often a biopsy will be performed by the physician to make sure that the lesion being treated is a basal cell. Once deemed that the diagnosis is a basal cell, here is a list of common treatments:

• Surgical excision or MOHS surgery
• Curettage and electrodessication (C and E) - treatment involves scraping the cancer with a curette then using an electric needle to burn the area.
• Radiation therapy

Topical creams - most often used for small, thin superficial basal cells when surgery isn't an option.