How Often Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Spread

Prognosis Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma is nearly always successful, and the cancer is rarely fatal. However, almost 25% of people with a history of basal cell carcinoma develop a new basal cell cancer within 5 years of the first one. Thus, anyone with one basal cell carcinoma should have a yearly skin examination.

How Successful Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Mohs micrographic surgery has the best cure rates with basal cell carcinoma, a 99 percent cure rate for carcinomas that are not returning growths. The cure rate when basal cell carcinomas are removed with wide excision can be as high as 98 percent. With curettage and electrodesiccation, the rate is from 91 to 97 percent.

Basal cell carcinoma is not considered life-threatening in almost all cases. It is simply disfiguring.

What Is Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma Of Skin

• Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin is a malignant cancer affecting the skin. It is a slow-growing tumor generally observed in older individuals, in both men and women
• This malignant carcinoma, which may be present as a lesion on the sun-exposed areas of the body, has the potential to metastasize to the lymph nodes
• Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin is the most common type of BCC that is present as nodules on the skin, usually in the head and neck area
• Some nodules may grow to large sizes and ulcerate. They can also infiltrate into the adjoining soft tissues and nerves. Larger tumors also have a greater tendency to recur after treatment
• The cause of Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin is unknown, but factors such as chronic sun exposure, smoking, and ionizing radiation, etc., are known to contribute towards its development. Also, fair-skinned Caucasians have a greater risk than dark-skinned Africans and Asians
• Any combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and invasive procedures are used to treat Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin. Small-sized tumors and tumors that have not metastasized can be cured through appropriate skin surgery
• The prognosis for metastatic tumors depends upon many factors including the stage of the tumor, health status of the individual, and treatment response. The prognosis may be guarded

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More Information About Basal Cell Carcinoma

The following are some English-language resources that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.

See the following sites for comprehensive information about basal cell carcinoma, including detection, prevention, treatment options, and other resources:

What Are The Causes Of Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma Of Skin

• The exact cause of development of Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin is not completely known, in a majority of cases
• Although, genetic mutations have been detected in Basal Cell Carcinomas, which are currently being characterized
• Most BCCs are sporadic in origin i.e., they occur in a random fashion

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Recurrence Of Basal Cell Carcinoma Uncommon After Mohs Surgery

Dear Mayo Clinic:

I have had Mohs surgery three times in the past 18 months to remove a basal cell carcinoma on my nose. Is there some other treatment that I should be pursuing? Is it common to have so many recurrences in such a short amount of time?

Answer:

Our noses are the No. 1 spot for skin cancer. So it’s not surprising that basal cell carcinoma appeared on your nose.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer, the most easily treated and the least likely to spread. Previously thought to be a condition that affected mostly the elderly, it’s increasingly common in patients in their 20s and 30s.

Getting more than one basal cell carcinoma is common. Patients with a previous diagnosis of skin cancer are 40;percent more likely to be diagnosed with new skin cancer, compared to those who have never had skin cancer. However, three times in 18 months in one location is unusual. A basal cell carcinoma recurrence after Mohs surgery is uncommon.

Mohs is very effective when done by a physician trained in this approach. The five-year cure rate is 99 percent. Given the success rate of these procedures, your situation is very rare, but possible explanations include:

Compromised immune system: Basal cell carcinoma is more likely to recur in immunosuppressed patients, such as those with AIDS or patients who have undergone organ transplants. If this is your situation, the recurrence is less surprising.

Randall K. Roenigk, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Can You Die From Basal Cell Carcinoma

Death from either basal cell or squamous cell cancers is quite rare. Statistics for these types of skin cancer arent tracked by cancer registries, so its difficult to have specific numbers, but its thought that less than 2,000 people in the U.S. die from both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas each year.

These deaths are predominantly in elderly people who have not had their skin checked in a long time and cancer has grown quite large.

Considering there are over 4 million diagnosed cases of basal cell carcinoma each year in the U.S. , the risk of death from this form of skin cancer is quite low.

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Diagnosing Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The main way to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma is with a biopsy. This involves having a small piece of tissue removed from the suspicious area and examined in a laboratory.

In the laboratory, a pathologist will examine the tissue under a microscope to determine if it is a skin cancer. He or she will also stage the cancer by the number of abnormal cells, their thickness, and the depth of penetration into the skin. The higher the stage of the tumor, the greater the chance it could spread to other parts of the body.

Squamous cell carcinoma on sun-exposed areas of skin usually does not spread. However, squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, vulva, and penis are more likely to spread. Contact your doctor about any sore in these areas that does not go away after several weeks.

Who Gets Basal Cell Carcinoma

Risk factors for BCC include:

• Age and sex: BCCs are particularly prevalent in elderly males. However, they also affect females and younger adults
• Repeated prior episodes of sunburn
• Fair skin, blue eyes and blond or red hairnote; BCC can also affect darker skin types

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How Widespread Is Bcc

Basal cell carcinoma is quite common, and the number of reported cases in the U.S. has steadily increased.

• An estimated 3.6 million Americans are diagnosed with BCC each year.
• More than one out of every three new cancers are skin cancers, and the vast majority are BCCs.
• The diagnosis and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers, including BCC and squamous cell carcinoma , increased up to 77 percent between 1994 and 2014.

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How Can Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma Of Skin Be Prevented

Currently, Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin is a malignant skin cancer that has no preventive measures. However, the following factors may help reduce the risk for the condition:

• Avoid or minimize sun exposure
• Limit the use of tanning beds, tanning parlors
• Smoking cessation
• If it is caused by certain underlying disorders, then treating the underlying condition may help in the treatment and early cure of Nodular BCC of Skin
• Regular medical screening at periodic intervals with blood tests, scans, and physical examinations, are mandatory, due to its metastasizing potential and high possibility of recurrence. Often several years of active vigilance is necessary

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Basal Cell Carcinoma Stages

There are certain features that are considered to make the cancer at higher risk for spreading or recurrence, and these may also be used to stage basal cell carcinomas. These include:

• Greater than 2 mm in thickness
• Invasion into the lower dermis or subcutis layers of the skin
• Invasion into the tiny nerves in the skin
• Location on the ear or on a hair-bearing lip

After the TNM components and risk factors have been established, the cancer is given a stage. For basal cell carcinoma staging, the factors are grouped and labeled 0 to 4. The characteristics and stages of basal cell carcinoma are:

Stage 0: Also called carcinoma in situ, cancer discovered in this stage is only present in the epidermis and has not spread deeper to the dermis.

Stage 1 basal cell carcinoma: The cancer is less than 2 centimeters, about 4/5 of an inch across, has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs, and has one or fewer high-risk features.

Stage 2;basal cell carcinoma: The cancer is larger than 2 centimeters across, and has not spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, or a tumor of any size with 2 or more high-risk features.

Stage;3 basal cell carcinoma: The cancer has spread into facial bones or 1 nearby lymph node, but not to other organs.

Stage 4 basal cell carcinoma: The cancer can be any size and has spread to 1 or more lymph nodes which are larger than 3 cm and may have spread to bones;or other organs in the body.

Can Biopsy Remove Basal Cell Carcinoma

For some basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, a biopsy can remove enough of the tumor to eliminate the cancer. Most biopsies can be done right in the doctors office using local anesthesia. Before the biopsy, the doctor or nurse will clean your skin. They may use a pen to mark the area that will be removed.

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What Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Look Like

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People Also Asked, what is a basal cell carcinoma pictures?

Basal cell carcinoma often occurs on the face and neck, where the skin is exposed to sunlight. These tumors are locally invasive and tend to burrow in but not metastasize to distant locations.

Also know, how serious is basal cell skin cancer? The Most Common Skin Cancer BCCs arise from abnormal, uncontrolled growth of basal cells. Because BCCs grow slowly, most are curable and cause minimal damage when caught and treated early. Understanding BCC causes, risk factors and warning signs can help you detect them early, when they are easiest to treat and cure.

Contents

• 10 Can I leave basal cell carcinoma alone?

Symptoms Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

There are several types of basal cell carcinomas.

The nodular type of basal cell carcinoma usually begins as small, shiny, firm, almost clear to pink in color, raised growth. After a few months or years, visible dilated blood vessels may appear on the surface, and the center may break open and form a scab. The border of the cancer is sometimes thickened and pearly white. The cancer may alternately bleed and form a scab and heal, leading a person to falsely think that it is a sore rather than a cancer.

Other types of basal cell carcinomas vary greatly in appearance. For example, the superficial type appears as flat thin red or pink patches, and the morpheaform type appears as thicker flesh-colored or light red patches that look somewhat like scars.

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How Fast Does Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spread

Squamous cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes , and when spreading does occur, it typically happens slowly. Indeed, most squamous cell carcinoma cases are diagnosed before the cancer has progressed beyond the upper layer of skin. There are various types of squamous cell carcinoma and some tend to spread more quickly than others.

There Are Three Ways That Cancer Spreads In The Body

Cancer can spread through tissue, the lymph system, and the blood:

• Tissue. The cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas.
• Lymph system. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system. The cancer travels through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body.
• Blood. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood. The cancer travels through the blood vessels to other parts of the body.

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When Is Electrodessication And Curettage Used To Treat Nmscs How Is This Procedure Performed

Electrodessication and curettage is an effective treatment option for small primary superficial and nodular BCCs as well as SCCIS. This treatment will leave a round scar and should only be used in noncosmetically sensitive areas. After injection with local anesthetic, the tumor is debulked with the cutting edge of a curette until the coarse resistance of normal tissue is appreciated. Electrocautery or electrodessication should then be performed over the entire curetted area plus a 2 mm margin. The process of curetting and electrodessication should be repeated three times. The cure rate for small primary BCCs with nonaggressive histology is around 92% at 5 years.

Luke Benvenuto, … Selim M. Arcasoy, in, 2021

What Will Happen After Treatment

Youll be glad when treatment is over. Your doctor will want you to check your skin at least once a month. It will be very important to protect yourself from getting too much sun.

For years after treatment ends, you will see your skin cancer doctor. At first, your visits may be every few months. Then, the longer youre cancer-free, the less often the visits are needed. Be sure to go to all of these follow-up visits. Your doctor will ask about symptoms and check you for signs of the cancer coming back or a new skin cancer. Other exams and tests may also be done.

Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be hard, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. You might be thinking about how to improve your health. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or talk to your cancer care team to find out what you can do to feel better.

You cant change the fact that you have cancer. What you can change is how you live the rest of your life making healthy choices and feeling as good as you can.

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Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Most of squamous cell carcinomas can be cured if they are treated early. Once squamous cell carcinoma has spread beyond the skin, though, less than half of people live five years, even with aggressive treatment.

There are many ways to treat squamous cell carcinoma that has not spread. These include:

• cutting away the cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue around it. If a large area of skin is removed, a skin graft may be necessary.
• scraping away the cancer with a surgical tool. An electric probe is used to kill any cancerous cells left behind.
• freezing cancer cells with liquid nitrogen. This treatment is usually used only for very small tumors or for a patch of skin that looks abnormal but isn’t yet cancerous.
• destroying the tumor with radiation.
• shaving away the cancer, one thin layer at a time. Each layer is examined under the microscope as it is removed. This technique helps the doctor preserve as much healthy skin as possible.
• applying drugs directly to the skin or injecting them into the tumor
• using a narrow laser beam to destroy the cancer.

The treatment that is best for you depends on the size and location of the cancer, whether it has returned after previous treatment, your age, and your general health.

Once your treatment is finished, it’s important to have regular follow-up skin exams. Your doctor may want to see you every three months for the first year, for example, and then less often after that.

Prevention Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Because basal cell carcinoma is often caused by sun exposure, people can help prevent this cancer by doing the following:

• Avoiding the sun: For example, seeking shade, minimizing outdoor activities between 10 AM and 4 PM , and avoiding sunbathing and the use of tanning beds

• Wearing protective clothing: For example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and broad-brimmed hats

• Using sunscreen: At least sun protection factor 30 with UVA and UVB protection used as directed and reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating but not used to prolong sun exposure

In addition, any skin change that lasts for more than a few weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinomas can appear anywhere on the body but the most common sites are sun exposed areas such as the face and arms. Its important to keep a close eye on your skin to try and identify early basal cell carcinoma, as its easier to treat if identified early on.

Typical Basal cell carcinoma symptoms are:

• New skin lesion
• Change in colour of a lesion

The typical lesions to watch out for are as follows:

• Pink or translucent, shiny bumps or pearly nodules, sometimes with dark spots or black, blue, or brown surface
• Growths, pink in color, with raised edges and sunken center, usually with irregular blood spoke-wheel vessels on its surface
• Pale or yellow scar-like areas
• Elevated reddish patches

How Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Staged

In rare situations, such as when the original lesion is more than 2 millimeters thick, or when it has invaded the lower layers of the skin, a stage may be assigned. The stages range from zero to four; higher numbers indicate more aggressive cancers. Most oncologists use the following scale:

• Stage 0 basal cell carcinoma These cancers are only present in the epidermis or the upper layer of the skin. They have not spread to any of the deeper layers or lymph nodes.
• Stage 1;basal cell carcinoma These cancers are smaller than 2 centimeters and have not spread to any nearby lymph nodes or organs, but may have one factor that increases the risk of spreading or recurrence .
• Stage 2;basal cell carcinoma These cancers are larger than 2 centimeters, and while they have not spread to other organs or lymph nodes, they have two or more factors that make them likely to return or spread.
• Stage 3;basal cell carcinoma These cancers have spread to local lymph nodes , but not to other organs.
• Stage 4;basal cell carcinoma These cancers have spread to several lymph nodes, bones or other organs, and they may be any size.

At Moffitt Cancer Center, we treat patients with all stages of basal cell carcinoma. Our skilled oncologists can determine whether a lesion is likely to spread and what treatments are expected to be most beneficial. No referral is necessary to meet with our team; call ;or complete a;new patient registration form;online.

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