Basal Cell Carcinoma Overview
Basal cell carcinoma, also called epithelioma, is the uncontrolled growth of the skin’s basal cells. These are the cells that line the deepest layer of the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer. This type of cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
It is mainly caused by repeated long-term exposure to sunlight. Light-skinned people who spent a lot of time in the sun as children, or who spend time in tanning booths, are especially susceptible. X-ray treatments for acne and exposure to industrial pollutants such as arsenic and hydrocarbons also increase the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in the United States, with nearly 3 million cases diagnosed each year.
How Can Basal Cell Carcinoma Be Prevented
The most important way to prevent BCC is to avoid sunburn. This is especially important in childhood and early life. Fair skinned individuals and those with a personal or family history of BCC should protect their skin from sun exposure daily, year-round and lifelong.
- Stay indoors or under the shade in the middle of the day
Can Basal Cell Carcinomas Be Cured
Yes, BCCs can be cured in almost every case, although treatment can be more complicated if the BCC has been neglected for a long time, or if it occurs in an awkward place, such as close to the eye or on the nose or ear.
BCCs rarely spread to other parts of the body. Therefore, although it is a type of skin cancer it is almost never a danger to life.
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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.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Home Remedy And Natural Cures
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is one of the best natural remedies for skin cancers. It is proven that Vitamin C is eliminating the cells which are cancerous while is leaving the normal cells. Vitamin C has antioxidants which are good not only for protecting the skin but also to protect the entire body. Make a mixture from paste which contains dimethyl sulfoxide and Vitamin C. You should apply this Basal Cell Carcinoma home remedy on the affected areas few times per day for at least three weeks.
Vegetables:
You should add in your diet the next vegetables: garlic, grapes, rosemary, whole grains, beans and soybeans, sea vegetables, hot peppers, cabbage, tomatoes, licorice root, green tea, onions, citrus fruits, white fish, flaxseed and olive oils, shiitake mushrooms, maitake and reishi. These types of foods which act as Basal Cell Carcinoma home remedy are having anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and immune-boosting properties which are making them effective for basal cell carcinoma.
Vitamin E:
Many studies have shown that if you are taking Vitamin E regularly, then you will be protected against the UV radiation. You should take Vitamin E daily. Take the required intake amount of Basal Cell Carcinoma home remedy from your doctor.
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How Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Develop
BCC happens when a basal cell has a mutation in its DNA. DNA carries the instructions that tell the basal cell how to make skin cells. However, if it is mutated, this can cause the basal cell to multiply quickly and not die. These multiplying, mutated cells eventually form a cancerous tumor. These tumors can have different shapes and features. This is what defines the subtypes of BCC, including morpheaform basal cell carcinoma.1
Signs & Symptoms Of Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Basal cell carcinoma appears as a dome shaped growth on the skin, which has blood vessels in it.
- Basal cell carcinoma can be of brown, pink or black color.
- In the initial stages, a basal cell carcinoma looks like a small, pearl like bump and also resembles a flesh-colored pimple or mole which persists and doesnt go away.
- Basal cell carcinoma can also look dark sometimes.
- This cancer can also start as slightly scaly, shiny pink or red patches on the skin.
- A hard and waxy skin growth is also one of the symptoms of basal cell carcinoma.
- These growths are fragile and tend to bleed easily.
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What Are The Clinical Features Of Basal Cell Carcinoma
BCC is a locally invasive skin tumour. The main characteristics are:
- Slowly growing plaque or nodule
- Skin coloured, pink or pigmented
- Varies in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter
- Spontaneous bleeding or ulceration
BCC is very rarely a threat to life. A tiny proportion of BCCs grow rapidly, invade deeply, and/or metastasise to local lymph nodes.
What Should I Do If I Suspect I Have Basal Cell Carcinoma
If you have a spot thats not healing or otherwise looks suspicious, get it checked out by a dermatologist. Most dermatologists can identify basal cell carcinoma very quickly due to their specialized training in skin cancers. Over 90% of basal cell carcinomas can be identified on physical exams alone.
If we visually identify a basal cell spot, we perform a skin biopsy. Skin biopsies are relatively simple procedures that only require local anesthesia. We take a sample of the bump and submit it for review to a pathologist. Under the microscope, basal cell carcinoma is very clear. With this process, dermatologists are able to diagnose basal cell carcinoma with a high sense of confidence theyre not often mistaken.
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Who Gets Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma Of Skin
- Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin generally affects elderly adults some cases rarely develop in children and young adults too
- Superficial BCC of Skin constitutes approximately 15% of all Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin types. It is the second most common type of BCC of Skin
- It can occur in both males and females however
- Among the older age group, males are affected more than females
- In the younger age group, females are affected more than males, which may be attributed to their tendency to acquire sun-tanned bodies or visit skin tanning parlors more
Basal Cell And Squamous Cell Carcinomatreatments
Numerous treatment options are available for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Your therapy will depend upon the type of skin cancer you have and its stage.
- Surgery Many skin cancers can be cut from the skin quickly and easily. In fact, the cancer is sometimes completely removed at the time of the biopsy, and no further treatment is needed.
- Curettage and Electrodesiccation Doctors commonly use a type of surgery called curettage. After a local anesthetic numbs the area, the cancer is scooped out with a curette, an instrument with a sharp, spoon-shaped end. The area is also treated by electrodesiccation. An electric current from a special machine is used to control bleeding and kill any cancer cells remaining around the edge of the wound. Most patients develop a flat, white scar.
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Basal Cell Carcinoma Is Common
If youve been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma or BCC, you have plenty of company. As the most common type of cancer in the world, doctors diagnose millions of people with BCC every year. In the United States alone, its estimated that about 2 million Americans hear, You have basal cell carcinoma, each year.1
Most people who develop this skin cancer have fair skin that they seldom protected with sunscreen or sun-protective clothing. Before they developed skin cancer, they often noticed signs of sun damage on their skin, such as age spots, patches of discolored skin, and deep wrinkles.
Dermatologist examining patient for signs of skin cancer
You have a greater risk of developing this skin cancer if youve seldom protected your skin from the sun throughout your life or used tanning beds.
Although BCC is most common in people who have fair skin, people of all colors get this skin cancer.
For most people, BCC is not life-threatening. It tends to grow slowly. It seldom spreads to another part of the body. Even so, treatment is important.
When found early, this skin cancer is highly treatable. An early BCC can often be removed during an appointment with your dermatologist.
Given time to grow, this skin cancer can grow deep, injuring nerves, blood vessels, and anything else in its path. As the cancer cells pile up and form a large tumor, the cancer can reach into the bone beneath. This can change the way you look, and for some people the change may be disfiguring.
What Is The Best Treatment For Basal Cell Carcinoma
When basal cell carcinoma is detected early, patients have many treatment options. The best treatment for basal cell carcinoma depends on several factors:
- the patients characteristics
- the subtype of basal cell carcinoma
- the area in which it is detected
If you have a spot that wont heal, or any spot that seems suspicious, dont wait to call your dermatologist. The earlier a spot is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and the better your chances are for a full recovery. Give us a call to schedule your appointment so we can see what youre dealing with and get you started on the right treatment right away.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Curcumin For Skin Cancer
Q. Do I have to use curcumin creams to protect my skin? Is it OK to take a curcumin supplement?
A. The latest scientific research finds that curcumin creams and curcumin supplements are functionally equivalent in skin care³. Curcumin is more readily absorbed through the skin that from a supplement taken by mouth, but nutritional supplements provide curcumin in a much larger dose.
Q. Is curcumin useful on sun-damaged skin?
A. Taiwanese medical researchers publishing their findings in the medical journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine report that curcumin is specifically helpful in reversing skin damaged caused by the UV-B spectrum of sunlight. It reduces inflammation caused by overexposure to the sun, and initiates the process of apoptosis in cells that have DNA that has been damaged by the sun before they can become cancerous.
Q. What about curcumin for cuts and scrapes?
A. Either a curcumin based cream or a cream that contains turmeric and ginger will accelerate healing of the skin after cuts and scrapes. Apply curcumin creams to skin abrasions as soon as possible, covering the curcumin cream with a bandage so the antioxidant power of the cream is used by the skin, rather than allowing the curcumin to oxidize with exposure to the atmosphere.
Q. Where can I find curcumin-based skin creams?
Q. Isnt eggplant extract a form of curcumn?
Effective Options For Early And Advanced Bcc
When detected early, most basal cell carcinomas can be treated and cured. Prompt treatment is vital, because as the tumor grows, it becomes more dangerous and potentially disfiguring, requiring more extensive treatment. Certain rare, aggressive forms can be fatal if not treated promptly.
If youve been diagnosed with a small or early BCC, a number of effective treatments can usually be performed on an outpatient basis, using a local anesthetic with minimal pain. Afterwards, most wounds can heal naturally, leaving minimal scarring.
Options include:
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Treatment For Basal Cell Carcinoma
The aim of the treatment is to get rid of the cancer or basal cell carcinoma and leave as small a scar as possible. Treatment depends on the size and location of the cancer, and the duration of the time the patient has had it. The chances of scarring and patients general health are also factors which the doctors consider. Some of the treatment options for basal cell carcinoma are:
Certain steps need to be taken to lower the risk of recurrent cancer, such as:
- Checking your skin for growths. Any changes in the skin which is bleeding or growing needs immediate attention.
- Avoid too much exposure to the sun. It is strongly advised that the patient stay out of the sun from between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as this is the time when the suns UVA and UVB rays are at their strongest.
- Even if you have to step out in the blazing sun, always wear a broad-brimmed hat and cover your body as much as possible by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Always and always use a sunscreen before stepping out in the sun. The UVA rays of the sun are present all day, even when it is cloudy. That why it is important to wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 to all the exposed parts of the body. Reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours when outside.
How Doctors Treat Basal Cell Carcinomas
Dermatologists usually remove basal cell carcinomas with liquid nitrogen. Painless and efficient, the procedure freezes the cancerous skin and, when performed by a doctor, leaves healthy skin intact. Larger basal cell carcinomas, especially when they occur on the forehead or nose, may require minor plastic surgery with careful attention to wound care for several weeks to achieve a cosmetically acceptable result.
Dont try removing basal cell carcinomas with liquid nitrogen at home. And dont use certain natural remedies like bloodroot salve , either. Bloodroot is caustic, and burns into the healthy layers of the skin. Treating yourself with bloodroot hurts, and will leave a scar. Even worse, if you happen to apply the herbal remedy to a melanoma or other spreading cancer, you risk trapping bits and pieces of the cancer underneath the scar tissue bloodroot salve leaves on your skin. Underneath the scar, these more serious forms of skin cancer may go undetected until treatment requires extensive surgery.
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Common Treatment Options For Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma usually manifests as a sore or growth on the skin. Surgery to remove the cancer and a small portion of the surrounding tissue is often sufficient to successfully treat basal cell carcinoma. The most commonly recommended surgical approaches for treating skin cancer include traditional excision, Mohs micrographic surgery and curettage and electrodessication.
Less commonly, targeted radiation therapy or special ointments may be used instead of or in addition to skin cancer surgery. For example, radiation therapy may be appropriate for patients whose cancer has developed on an area of the body that is difficult to operate on, such as the ears or eyelids.
Moffitt Cancer Centers Cutaneous Oncology Program features a multispecialty team that focuses exclusively on diagnosing and treating skin cancer. By merging individualized treatment with the latest therapies and procedures, Moffitts experts help our patients achieve the best possible outcomes and quality of life. Contact us at or submit a new patient registration form online to learn more.
Can Basal Cell Carcinoma Cause Complications
The most common complication of basal cell carcinoma is recurrence. BCCs commonly recur, even after successful treatment. In some cases, BCC may reappear in the same place. It can also be disfiguring, especially if not treated promptly.
A diagnosis of BCC increases the chance of developing other types of skin cancer. This includes melanoma, which can metastasize and is the most life-threatening form of skin cancer.
Rare, aggressive forms of BCC can invade the body beyond the skin. It can destroy bone, nerves, and muscles. In rare cases it can metastasize to other parts of the body, including key organs, and become life-threatening.
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Will I Need Chemotherapy For Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma, a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer, is very common and affects people of various age groups. If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, you probably have questions about your next steps and what treatments can be used to address this type of cancer.
Every patient is different and requires an individualized treatment plan. With this said, chemotherapy is rarely used to eradicate basal cell carcinoma. This systemic treatment involves administering medicine into the bloodstream to attack cancer cells throughout the body. Because basal cell carcinoma usually affects an isolated area and seldom reaches an advanced stage, a systematic approach to treatment is typically not necessary.
Who Is Affected By Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma affects slightly more men than women. It occurs more often in older people. People with fair skin and light eyes are more likely to get BCC. It is 19 times more common in whites than blacks, but people of color may still be affected. People who have had BCC once are at higher risk for developing another lesion.
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Basal Cell Carcinoma Home Remedy And Other Natural Treatment
Basal cell carcinoma is skin cancer. This type of cancer has shown increasing number of the people who are affected with it. People with white skin are more likely to get basal cell carcinoma. The main reason for this disease is the high UV radiation which comes from the sunlight . You should avoid the sum when is hottest. Also you should not go out at the midday if you are not having any type of work. Protect your skin with cream when you are exposed to the sun. Also you should wear protective clothes to avoid the sunburns. There are many types of medicines that you can use it. We recommend you to use the following Basal Cell Carcinoma home remedy and natural cures: