Basal cell skin cancer

Basal cell cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers are basal cell cancer.

Basal cell cancer is almost always slow-growing.

Other common types of skin cancer are:

• Squamous cell

  Squamous cell

  Squamous cell cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the United States. Other common types of skin cancer are:Basal cellMelanoma

  

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• Melanoma

  Melanoma

  Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease. Melanoma can also involve the colored part o...

  

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Causes

The top layer of the skin is called the epidermis. The bottom layer of the epidermis is the basal cell layer. With basal cancer, cells in this layer are the ones that become cancerous. Most basal cell cancers occur on skin that is regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation.

This type of skin cancer is most common in people over age 40. But it can also occur in younger people who have had extensive sun exposure.

You are more likely to get basal cell cancer if you have:

• Light-colored or freckled skin
• Blue, green, or grey eyes
• Blond or red hair
• Overexposure to x-rays or other forms of radiation

  x-rays

  X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body. The im...

  

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• Many moles
• Close relatives who have or had skin cancer
• Many severe sunburns early in life
• Long-term daily sun exposure (such as the sun exposure received by people who work outside)

Symptoms

Basal cell cancer grows slowly and is usually painless. It may not look that different from your normal skin. You may have a skin bump or growth that is:

• Pearly or waxy
• White or light pink
• Flesh-colored or brown
• A red, scaly patch of skin

In some cases, the skin is just slightly raised, or even flat.

You may have:

• A skin sore that bleeds easily
• A sore that does not heal
• Oozing or crusting spots in a sore
• A scar-like sore without having injured the area
• Irregular blood vessels in or around the spot
• A sore with a depressed (sunken) area in the middle

Exams and Tests

Your doctor will check your skin and look at the size, shape, color, and texture of any suspicious areas.

If your doctor thinks you might have skin cancer, a piece of skin will be removed. This is called a skin biopsy . The sample is sent to a lab for examination under a microscope.

Skin biopsy

A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined. The skin is tested to look for skin conditions or diseases. A...

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A skin biopsy must be done to confirm basal cell cancer or other skin cancers.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the size, depth, and location of the skin cancer, and your overall health.

Treatment may involve any of the following:

• Excision: Cutting out the skin cancer and stitching the skin together
• Curettage and electrodessication: Scraping away cancer cells and using electricity to kill any that remain; used to treat cancers that are not large or deep
• Cryosurgery: Freezing the cancer cells, which kills them; used to treat cancers that are not large or deep
• Medication: Skin creams that have medicine; used to treat cancers that are not large or deep
• Mohs surgery: Removing a layer of skin and looking at it immediately under a microscope, then removing layers of skin until there are no signs of the cancer; usually used for skin cancers on the nose, ears, and other areas of the face
• Photodynamic therapy: Treatment using light; used to treat cancers that are not large or deep
• Radiation: May be used if a basal cell cancer cannot be treated with surgery
• Chemotherapy : May be used to treat basal cell cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or that cannot be treated with surgery

  Chemotherapy

  The term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...

  

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Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group . Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most of these cancers are cured when treated early. Some basal cell cancers return. Smaller ones are less likely to come back.

Possible Complications

Basal cell skin cancer almost never spreads. If it is left untreated, it may spread into surrounding areas and nearby tissues and bone. In these cases, treatment can injure the appearance of the skin.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have a sore or spot on your skin that changes in:

• Appearance
• Color
• Size
• Texture

Also call your provider if a spot becomes painful or swollen, or if it starts to bleed or itch.

Prevention

The American Cancer Society recommends that a provider examines your skin every year if you are older than 40 and every 3 years if you are 20 to 40 years old. You should also examine your own skin once a month.

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to reduce your exposure to sunlight . Always use sunscreen:

Reduce your exposure to sunlight

Many skin changes, such as skin cancer, wrinkles, and age spots are caused by exposure to the sun. The two types of sun rays that can injure the skin...

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• Apply sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, even when you are going outdoors for a short time.
• Apply a large amount of sunscreen on all exposed areas, including ears and feet.
• Look for sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB light.
• Use a water-resistant sunscreen.
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out. Follow package instructions about how often to reapply. Be sure to reapply after swimming or sweating.
• Use sunscreen in winter and on cloudy days, too. 

Other measures to help you avoid too much sun exposure:

• Ultraviolet light is most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to avoid the sun during these hours. 
• Protect the skin by wearing wide-brim hats, long-sleeve shirts, long skirts, or pants.
• Avoid surfaces that reflect light more, such as water, sand, concrete, and areas that are painted white.
• The higher the altitude, the faster your skin burns.
• Do not use sun lamps and tanning beds (salons). Spending 15 to 20 minutes at a tanning salon is as dangerous as a day spent in the sun.