Can Basal Cell Carcinoma Become Malignant

By Melissa L

October 9, 2021

0

48

Questions To Ask The Doctor

Basal cell carcinoma || Patient Education || Causes of Basal cell carcinoma

Do you know the stage of the cancer?
If not, how and when will you find out the stage of the cancer?
Would you explain to me what the stage means in my case?
What will happen next?

There are many ways to treat skin cancer. The main types of treatment are:

Surgery
Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy

Most basal cell and squamous cell cancers can be cured with surgery or other types of treatments that affect only the spot on the skin.

The treatment plan thats best for you will depend on:

The stage and grade of the cancer
The chance that a type of treatment will cure the cancer or help in some way
Your age and overall health
Your feelings about the treatment and the side effects that come with it

What Makes Yale Medicines Approach To Basal Cell Carcinoma Unique

Yale Medicine receives referrals from community dermatologists all over the country. We receive a very high volume of referrals, so regardless of how unusual the case may be, it’s likely we’ve seen it before, says Dr. Christensen. We work closely with a team of specialized skin pathologists in our dermatopathology lab who evaluate skin samples that could be cancerous or pre-cancerous. Then, our dermatologic surgeons use their expertise to safely remove these spots.

Request An Appointment At Moffitt Cancer Center

Please call for support from a Moffitt representative. New Patients and Healthcare Professionals can submit an online form by selecting the appropriate buttonbelow. Existing patients can call . for a current list of insurances accepted at Moffitt.

NEW PATIENTS To request a new patient appointment, please fill out the online form or call 1-888-663-3488.

REFERRING PHYSICIANS Providers and medical staff can refer patients by submitting our online referral form.

Moffit now offers Virtual Visits for patients. If you are eligible for a virtual appointment, our scheduling team will discuss this option further with you.

Moffitt Cancer Center is committed to the health and safety of our patients and their families. For more information on how were protecting our new and existing patients, visit our COVID-19 Info Hub

Read Also: Where To Get Checked For Melanoma

What Kills Skin Cancer Cells

Cryotherapy is used most often for pre-cancerous conditions such as actinic keratosis and for small basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. For this treatment, the doctor applies liquid nitrogen to the tumor to freeze and kill the cells. This is often repeated a couple of times in the same office visit.

Also Check: How Does Skin Cancer Feel

How Does The Doctor Know I Have Skin Cancer

Basal and squamous skin cancer may look like:

Flat, firm, pale or yellow areas that look a lot like a scar
Raised reddish patches that might itch
Rough or scaly red patches, which might crust or bleed
Small, pink or red, shiny, pearly bumps, which might have blue, brown, or black areas
Pink growths or lumps with raised edges and a lower center
Open sores that dont heal, or that heal and then come back
Wart-like growths

You May Like: Is Squamous Skin Cancer Deadly

What Is Skin Cancer

Cancer can start any place in the body. Skin cancer starts when cells in the skin grow out of control.

Skin cancer cells can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, but this is not common. When cancer cells do this, its called metastasis. To doctors, the cancer cells in the new place look just like the ones from the skin.

Cancer is always named based on the place where it starts. So if skin cancer spreads to another part of the body, its still called skin cancer.

The skin

Ask your doctor to use this picture to show you where your cancer is

Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Considered Malignant

The vast majority of skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. While malignant, these are unlikely to spread to other parts of the body if treated early. They may be locally disfiguring if not treated early. A small but significant number of skin cancers are malignant melanomas.

Share This Article On Twitter

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. BautistaUpdated on: March 9, 2020

Estimates suggest that about one in five people will develop skin cancer at some point in their life. Despite its prevalence, skin cancer has a higher survival rate, especially when it is caught early. If you have skin cancer and are considering avoiding conventional treatments, you may be wondering what happens if skin cancer is untreated. Can skin cancer go away on its own? Read on to learn more. You may even find that you can avoid conventional treatments entirely with a skin cancer natural treatment.

Radiation And Immunologic Origins

Skin cancer types: basal cell squamous cell carcinoma malignant melanoma causes prevention Miami

Radiation has proven to be tumorigenic by two mechanisms. The first entails the initiations of prolonged cellular proliferation, thereby increasing the likelihood of transcription errors that can lead to cellular transformation. The second mechanism is direct damage of DNA replication, leading to cellular mutation that may activate proto-oncogenes or deactivate tumor suppressor genes.

Immunologically, the mechanism by which prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure leads to the development of BCC includes suppression of the cutaneous immune system and immunologic unresponsiveness to cutaneous tumors. This local effect includes a decrease in Langerhans cells, dendritic epidermal T cells, and Thy1+ cells. Furthermore, systemic proliferation of suppressor T cells and the release of immunosuppressive factors are believed to be pathogenic to the development of BCC.

Read Also: What Is Good For Skin Cancer

Do Basal Cell Carcinoma And Melanoma Look Different

The first sign of basal cell carcinoma is usually a small white or flesh-colored skin bump that grows slowly and may bleed. On the other hand, the first sign of melanoma is often a noticeable change in a mole, such as:

Asymmetry. The shape of one half of the mole does not mirror the other half.
An irregular border. The edges of the mole may be ragged, notched or blurred, with the pigment appearing to spread into the surrounding skin.
Uneven coloring. The mole may display shades of black, brown, tan, white, gray, red, pink or blue.
An increase in diameter. There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas can be tiny, but most are larger than the size of a pea .
Evolution. The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months.

A skin biopsy is the only way to diagnose basal cell carcinoma or melanoma. A physician can remove a small portion of suspicious tissue, then send it to a lab to be analyzed under a microscope for evidence of cancer. Therefore, it is important to promptly discuss any unusual skin changes with a physician.

If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma or melanoma, a skin cancer specialist at Moffitt Cancer Center can offer a second opinion after reviewing your lab work, biopsies and images. Or, if you have a suspicious skin lesion, you can have it checked at Moffitt with or without a referral. To request an appointment, call or submit a new patient registration form online.

How To Spot A Bcc: Five Warning Signs

Check for BCCs where your skin is most exposed to the sun, especially the face, ears, neck, scalp, chest, shoulders and back, but remember that they can occur anywhere on the body. Frequently, two or more of these warning signs are visible in a BCC tumor.

An open sore that does not heal, and may bleed, ooze or crust. The sore might persist for weeks, or appear to heal and then come back.

A reddish patch or irritated area, on the face, chest, shoulder, arm or leg that may crust, itch, hurt or cause no discomfort.

A shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or clear, pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-skinned people, and can be mistaken for a normal mole.

A small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation in the center that may develop tiny surface blood vessels over time.

A scar-like area that is flat white, yellow or waxy in color. The skin appears shiny and taut, often with poorly defined borders. This warning sign may indicate an invasive BCC.

Please note: Since not all BCCs have the same appearance, these images serve as a general reference to what basal cell carcinoma looks like.

An open sore that does not heal

A reddish patch or irritated area

A small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation in the center

A shiny bump or nodule

A scar-like area that is flat white, yellow or waxy in color

Recommended Reading: How Serious Is Basal Cell Carcinoma

How Long Does It Take For A Scar To Morph Into Cancer

Typical malignant change may occur over decades in these cases, says Dr. Tung.

Signs that may alert you that your scar is no longer just a scar include pain, redness, bleeding or skin breakdown.

Scars and skin which has been persistently inflamed can turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

Is Actinic Keratosis Skin Cancer What You Need To Know About This Common Condition

Malignant Lesions of the External Periocular Tissues Tutorial

Imagine visiting the dermatologist with concerns about a strange growth on your arm. You breathe a sigh of relief when your doctor tells you that the spot is an actinic keratosis , meaning it isnt malignantfor now. It may stay benign, but it could also turn into a potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer. What?

A staggering 58 million Americans are affected by AKs, but many of them may not know what that means and whether they should be concerned. To clear up the confusion, I spoke with Mary Hall, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Also Check: Can You Survive Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer

Survival Statistics For Non

Most cancer registries do not collect information about non-melanoma skin cancers. These cancers are difficult to keep track of. The information often doesnt get reported because non-melanoma skin cancer is usually diagnosed and treated easily in a doctors office.

In Canada, a few provinces do collect information on new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. Canadian statistics for non-melanoma skin cancer, including survival statistics, are based on the information gathered by these provinces.

Survival statistics for non-melanoma skin cancer are general estimates and must be interpreted carefully. Because these statistics are based on the experience of groups of people, they cannot be used to predict a particular persons chances of survival.

There are many different ways to measure and report cancer survival statistics. Your doctor can explain the statistics for non-melanoma skin cancer and what they mean to you.

Where Does Bcc Develop

As the above pictures show, this skin cancer tends to develop on skin that has had lots of sun exposure, such as the face or ears. Its also common on the bald scalp and hands. Other common areas for BCC include, the shoulders, back, arms, and legs.

While rare, BCC can also form on parts of the body that get little or no sun exposure, such as the genitals.

You May Like: How To Remove Skin Cancer Yourself

Types Of Skin Malignancies:

Melanoma the least common form of skin cancer, but responsible for more deaths per year than squamous cell and basal cell skin cancers combined. Melanoma is also more likely to spread and may be harder to control.
Nonmelanoma malignancies:

Squamous cell cancer the second-most common skin cancer. It’s more aggressive and may require extensive surgery, depending on location and nerve involvement.
Basal cell cancer the most common form of skin cancer. It is rarely fatal but can be locally aggressive.

These skin malignancies are typically caused by ultraviolet radiation from exposure to the sun and tanning beds.

How Dermatologists Diagnose Basal Cell Carcinoma

basal cell skin cancer

When you see a board-certified dermatologist, your dermatologist will:

Examine your skin carefully
Ask questions about your health, medications, and symptoms

If your dermatologist finds a spot on your skin that could be any type of skin cancer, your dermatologist will first numb the area and then remove all of it. This can be done during an office visit and is called a skin biopsy. This is a simple procedure, which a dermatologist can quickly, safely, and easily perform.

Having a skin biopsy is the only way to know for sure whether you have any type of skin cancer. After your dermatologist removes the spot, a doctor, such as your dermatologist or a dermatopathologist, will examine it under a high-powered microscope. The doctor is looking for cancer cells.

If the doctor sees cancerous basal cells, the diagnosis is BCC.

After the doctor examines the removed skin under a microscope, the doctor writes a report. Called a biopsy report or a pathology report, this document explains in medical terms what was seen under the microscope.

If the diagnosis is any type of skin cancer, the information in this report will tell your dermatologist the key facts needed to treat the cancer, including:

The type of BCC you have
How deeply the cancer has grown

Your dermatologist will carefully consider your health and the findings in the report before choosing how to treat the cancer.

Read Also: Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Serious

Warning Signs Of Basal Cell Carcinoma That You Could Mistake As Harmless

Warning sign: A pink or reddish growth that dips in the centerCan be mistaken for: A skin injury or acne scar

A pink or reddish growth that dips in the center

The BCC on this patients cheek could be mistaken for a minor skin injury.

Warning sign: A growth or scaly patch of skin on or near the earCan be mistaken for: Scaly, dry skin, minor injury, or scar

A growth or scaly patch of skin on or near the ear

BCC often develops on or near an ear, and this one could be mistaken for a minor skin injury.

Warning sign: A sore that doesn’t heal and may bleed, ooze, or crust overCan be mistaken for: Sore or pimple

A sore that doesn’t heal, or heals and returns

This patient mistook the BCC on his nose for a non-healing pimple.

Warning sign: A scaly, slightly raised patch of irritated skin, which could be red, pink, or another colorCan be mistaken for: Dry, irritated skin, especially if it’s red or pink

A scaly, slightly raised patch of irritated skin

This BCC could be mistaken for a patch of dry, irritated skin.

Warning sign: A round growth that may be pink, red, brown, black, tan, or the same color as your skinCan be mistaken for: A mole, wart, or other harmless growth.

A round growth that may be same color as your skin

Would you recognize this as a skin cancer, or would you dismiss it as a harmless growth on your face?

Recurrence Of Basal Cell Skin Cancer

Basal cell skin cancer is the most common type. Its also the most treatable. Almost all basal cell cancers can be cured. If a basal cell cancer recurs, it usually happens within five years. If you have a basal cell cancer removed, you will probably need to see your doctor once every 6 to 12 months to check for recurrence.

Its rare for basal cell cancer to return. One study, published in the Archives of Dermatology, followed almost 500 people with basal or squamous cell skin cancer for about seven years after treatment. They found that the recurrence rate of these skin cancers was just 3.5%. According to the National Cancer Institute, 85 to 95% of basal cell skin cancers do not come back after treatment.

If basal cell cancer does return, doctors often recommend to treat it. The procedure involves removing all of the skin cancer and using a microscope to make sure there are no cancer cells left in any tissue on the edge of where the was.

Recommended Reading: What Are The Types Of Skin Cancer

Don’t Miss: Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help With Skin Cancer

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk Factors

Certain things make you more likely to develop SCC:

Older age
Blue, green, or gray eyes
Blonde or red hair
Spend time outside, exposed to the sun’s UV Rays
History of sunburns, precancerous spots on your skin, or skin cancer
Tanning beds and bulbs
Long-term exposure to chemicals such as arsenic in the water
Bowens disease, HPV, HIV, or AIDS

Your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist who specializes in skin conditions. They will:

Ask about your medical history
Ask about your history of severe sunburns or indoor tanning
Ask if you have any pain or other symptoms
Ask when the spot first appeared
Give you a physical exam to check the size, shape, color, and texture of the spot
Look for other spots on your body
Feel your lymph nodes to make sure they arent bigger or harder than normal

If your doctor thinks a bump looks questionable, theyll remove a sample of the spot to send to a lab for testing.

Continued

Mohs Microscopically Controlled Surgery

Because skin cancer cells often have spread beyond the edges of the visible patch on the skin, doctors sometimes use a special surgical technique to make sure they remove all of the cancer. In this technique, called Mohs microscopically controlled surgery or Mohs micrographic surgery, doctors first remove the visible tumor and then begin cutting away the edges of the wound bit by bit. During surgery, doctors examine pieces of tissue to look for cancer cells. Tissue removal from the area continues until the samples no longer contain cancer cells. This procedure enables doctors to limit the amount of tissue removed and thus is especially useful for cancers near such important sites as the eye.

After removing all of the cancer, doctors decide how best to replace the skin that has been cut away. They may bring the edges of the remaining skin together with sutures or use a skin graft or skin flap. Or they may place dressings on top of the wound and let the skin heal on its own.

Mohs surgery reduces recurrence rates for skin cancers. This surgery is useful for basal cell and squamous cell cancers but is less often used for melanoma.

Previous articleHow Does Skin Cancer Work

Next articleHow To Spot Skin Cancer Moles