How To Treat Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Treatment plans for basal cell carcinoma is based on its size, depth and where its located.

Your surgeon may opt to excise the cancer, which means cut it out and stitch the remaining skin back together. Another basal skin cell carcinoma treatment method, curettage and electrodesiccation, involves scraping away cancer cells and using electricity to kill any that remain.

Mohs surgery is a skin cancer treatment that removes a mole layer by layer. Your surgeon looks at each layer under a microscope and continues to remove more layers until there is no evidence of the cancer. This tends to be preferred if the basal skin cell carcinoma is on the nose, ears and other areas of the face.

Treatments other than surgery may also be options, including:

• Cryosurgery to freeze and kill the cancer cells
• Medicated skin creams
• Radiation therapy, which uses X-rays to kill cancer cells. This is an option when basal cell cancer cant be removed surgically.

If basal cell cancer has spread to other parts of your body, options may include newer biologic therapies. Both Erivedge® and Odomzo® block a key signaling pathway that encourages basal cell skin cancers to grow and spread.

Expert

Know That Surgery Sites Heal In Time

Had basal cell on the side of my nose going toward the corner of my eye. Couldnt see anything on the skin, but thanks to the keen eye of my derm she saw it, and did a biopsy, and sent me to a Mohs specialist at UAB. He removed it along with surrounding tissue, sutured, sent me on my way looking, well, terrible! Within 1 year, the scare is completely gone & cant tell anything was done. Thankful for those yearly scans. Debbie

I had Mohs done on a very small spot on side of nose right by eye. They had to put me to sleep and did a flap on forehead. Also had Mohs on lip. It went about 2 inches outside of mouth and about an inch in mouth. Great results. Almost unnoticeable. Joy

Can Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Go Away On Its Own

They may go away on their own and come back. You should call your doctor if you notice a change in the color, texture, or appearance of your skin or if you have a sore that does not heal or bleeds. Your doctor can diagnose squamous cell carcinoma by examining the growth and performing a biopsy of the suspected area.

Dont Miss: Stage 3 Basal Cell Carcinoma Survival Rate

You May Like: Invasive Breast Cancer Survival Rate

How Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosed

BCC is diagnosed clinically by the presence of a slowly enlarging skin lesion with typical appearance. The diagnosis and histological subtype is usually confirmed pathologically by a diagnostic biopsy or following excision.

Some typical superficial BCCs on trunk and limbs are clinically diagnosed and have non-surgical treatment without histology.

What Are The Symptoms Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Almost all BCCs develop on parts of the body frequently exposed to the sun. Tumors can develop on the face, ears, shoulders, neck, scalp, and arms. In very rare cases, tumors develop on areas not often exposed to sunlight.

BCCs are typically painless. The only symptom is the growth or change in the appearance of the skin. There are different types of BCC. Each has a different appearance:

Skin cancers, including BCC, are primarily caused by long-term sun or ultraviolet light exposure. These cancers can also be caused by intense occasional exposure often resulting in sunburn.

In rarer cases, other factors can cause BCC. These include:

• exposure to radiation

Also Check: How Long Does It Take Melanoma To Metastasize

More On Clinical Trials In Bcc

Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work. They have an important place in your care as researchers strive to improve current cancer treatments and search for new and better ones. Clinical trials are essential for learning about cancer and how to prevent or cure it.

Our most-effective cancer treatments would not be available without the clinical trial process. Unfortunately, many people with cancer are unaware of the option for a clinical trial or are unsure about the value of participation.

Your goal is to find the best treatment available whenever you make a treatment decision. While there may be a good standard of care for youcare that experts believe is appropriate for your specific diagnosis and treatment historysometimes the current standard of care is not as effective as you and your doctor would like. Other times, the standard of care works for a time but then stops working. In still other instances, there is no standard of care for your situation. At these times, participation in a clinical trial may be the best option for you.

The best time to search for clinical trials is every time you are faced with a treatment decision.

Is Mohs Right For Me

Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treating many basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas , including those in cosmetically and functionally important areas around the eyes, nose, lips, ears, scalp, fingers, toes or genitals. Mohs is also recommended for BCCs or SCCs that are large, aggressive or growing rapidly, that have indistinct edges, or have recurred after previous treatment. Some surgeons are also successfully using Mohs surgery on certain cases of melanoma.

You May Like: Survival Rates For Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

What Happens If Basal Cell Carcinoma Is Left Untreated

Question by: Jett Nolan

If left untreated, basal cell carcinomas can become quite large, cause disfigurement, and in rare cases, spread to other parts of the body and cause death. Your skin covers your body and protects it from the environment. Your skin is composed of three major layers, the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

What Is A Big Bcc

Giant BCC is, on the contrary, a rare skin malignancy characterized by an aggressive biological behavior, deep tissue invasion with infiltration of the dermis and involvement of extradermal structures such as bone, muscle and cartilage, as well as by metastasis and frequently carries a poor prognosis.

Don’t Miss: Metastatic Skin Cancer Pictures

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

The Dangers Of Untreated Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. Brought on typically by overexposure of UV rays , skin cancer can be prevented and oftentimes easily treated. However, if left untreated, no matter which type of skin cancer you have, it will undoubtedly cause severe health complications and may even lead to death. Lets break it down a bit and walk you through what would happen if skin cancer were left untreated.

Also Check: Invasive Breast Cancer Prognosis

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:

How Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Treated

After examining your health and the pathology report findings, your doctor will determine an effective treatment plan. There are several treatment options for basal cell carcinoma, and determining the optimal treatment option depends on the microscopic pattern of the cancer, the location on the body, the size of the skin cancer, and factors specific to each patient.

From the least invasive to the most aggressive, here are the treatment options for basal cell carcinoma:

Don’t Miss: Signs Of Stage 4 Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma Surgery: Treating This Skin Cancer Surgically

• Image Credits

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer, and it is also the skin cancer that is the most common. This type of skin cancer is least likely to spread, is the most easily treated, and is rarely fatal. However, there is a high recurrence rate, and people who have had this cancer must often battle it again within five years. If this cancer is not removed, it can cause extensive damage to the tissue and bone that surrounds it. Various types of basal cell carcinoma surgery are the most common ways to remove this cancer.

Prognosis For Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinomas rarely metastasize but may invade healthy tissues. Rarely, patients die because the carcinoma invades or impinges on underlying vital structures or orifices .

Almost 25% of patients with a history of basal cell carcinoma develop a new basal cell cancer within 5 years of the original carcinoma. Consequently, patients with a history of basal cell carcinoma should be seen annually for a skin examination.

Don’t Miss: Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer Survival Rate

Treatment Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Usually with local methods

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma should be done by a specialist.

The clinical appearance, size, site, and histologic subtype determine choice of treatmentcurettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, cryosurgery, topical chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy, or, occasionally, radiation therapy.

Recurrent or incompletely treated cancers, large cancers, cancers at recurrence-prone sites , and morphea-like cancers with vague borders are often treated with Mohs microscopically controlled surgery, in which tissue borders are progressively excised until specimens are tumor-free .

If patients have metastatic or locally advanced disease and are not candidates for surgery or radiation therapy , vismodegib and sonidegib may be given. Both drugs inhibit the hedgehog pathway .

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.

You May Like: Does Amelanotic Melanoma Blanch When Pressed

What Is The Treatment For Primary Basal Cell Carcinoma

The treatment for a BCC depends on its type, size and location, the number to be treated, patient factors, and the preference or expertise of the doctor. Most BCCs are treated surgically. Long-term follow-up is recommended to check for new lesions and recurrence the latter may be unnecessary if histology has reported wide clear margins.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis

If youre concerned about a mark on your skin, schedule a visit with your dermatologist. Its always better to be safe than sorry. Your doctor will examine the spot and if he or she is concerned, a biopsy is the next step. This involves taking a sample of the lesion and sending it off to a lab for analysis. The process can take around a week or more to get results.

You May Like: Melanoma Forearm

What Does Morpheaform Basal Cell Carcinoma Look Like

One of the defining features of morpheaform BCC is its shape. These tumors tend to be less regular and do not have well-defined edges. They often have long strands that extend off the main tumor node. This means the tumors can grow into other layers of the skin, or nearby muscles or other structures. The irregular shape of these tumors can make them difficult to treat.2

Symptoms And Signs Of Basal Cell Carcinoma

The clinical manifestations and biologic behavior of basal cell carcinomas are highly variable. The most common types are

• Nodular : These types are small, shiny, firm, almost translucent to pink nodules with telangiectases, usually on the face. Ulceration and crusting are common.

• Superficial : These types are red or pink, marginated, thin papules or plaques, commonly on the trunk, that are difficult to differentiate from psoriasis or localized dermatitis.

• Morpheaform : These types are flat, scarlike, indurated plaques that can be flesh-colored or light red and have vague borders.

• Other: Other types are possible. Nodular and superficial basal cell carcinomas can produce pigment .

This basal cell carcinoma appears as a flat, waxy, poorly demarcated plaque with prominent telangiectasia.

Pigmented basal cell carcinoma is rare. These lesions are sometimes misdiagnosed as pigmented nevi or malignant melanomas.

Most commonly, the carcinoma begins as a shiny papule, enlarges slowly, and, after a few months or years, shows a shiny, pearly border with prominent engorged vessels on the surface and a central dell or ulcer. Recurrent crusting or bleeding is not unusual. Commonly, the carcinomas may alternately crust and heal, which may unjustifiably decrease patients’ and physicians’ concern about the importance of the lesion.

Read Also: Can You Have Cancer Without A Tumor

Skin Cancer Types: Basal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis And Treatment

If you find a spot on your skin that you think could be a skin cancer, an accurate diagnosis and treatment are essential. The following explains how dermatologists diagnose and treat the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma .

Dermatologist treating BCC

When found early, basal cell carcinoma is highly treatable.

What Are The Advantages Of Mohs Surgery

The technique offers the highest possible cure rate for the treatment of skin cancer, compared to other therapeutic modalities. Mohs surgery also allows the physician to remove as little normal tissue as possible around the tumor, and thus in many cases can provide a superior cosmetic result. Our doctors also offer a variety of laser treatments to improve the appearance of scars after Mohs surgery. Another advantage is that with many large skin cancers, hospitalization can be avoided by performing Mohs surgery on an out-patient basis.

Also Check: Skin Cancer Pictures Mayo Clinic

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.

Curettage With And Without Cautery

Curettage is widely used in management of BCC. The tumour is scraped off with a curette and then the base and wound margin is often treated with electrocautery to control bleeding and destroy any residual tumour. This may be repeated. As excision margins are being destroyed it is advisable to confirm the diagnosis and determine the histological subtype with a preoperative biopsy, especially for facial lesions, unless a very confident clinical diagnosis can been made.

For standard curettage and electrocautery recurrence rates have been reported to be between 7.7% and 19% at 5 years. Recurrence rates have been found to be much higher for facial lesions and recurrent disease . A prospective study of 69 re-excised BCC wounds immediately after curettage and electrocautery found residual tumour in 47% of head and neck wounds and 8.3% of trunk and limb wounds . Curettage is very operator dependant however, a retrospective study of curettage alone reported a 5-year cure rate of 96% for nonaggressive BCC, and tumours involving more than 50% of the deep edge of the specimen were found to have an increased risk of recurrence .

Given the disproportionate amount of residual tumour on head and neck wounds and higher recurrence rates curettage and electrocautery is not considered first line treatment for BCCs on the face.

Also Check: Well Differentiated

Treatment Of Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Review

Vanessa Smith

1Department of Dermatology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull and Hull York Medical School , Hull HU2 3JZ, UK

Abstract

Basal cell carcinomas are locally destructive malignancies ofthe skin. They are the most common type of cancer in the westernworld. The lifetime incidence may be up to 39%. UV exposure is themost common risk factor. The majority of these tumours occur on thehead and neck. Despite BCCs being relatively indolent the highincidence means that their treatment now contributes a significant andincreasing workload for the health service. A good understanding ofthe options available is important. Management decisions may beinfluenced by various factors including the patient’s age andcomorbidities and the lesion subtype and location. Due to theimportance of a good cosmetic and curative outcome for facial BCCstreatment decisions may differ significantly to those that would bemade for BCCs arising elsewhere. There is little good randomizedcontrolled data available comparing treatment modalities. Althoughtraditionally standard excision has been the treatment of choicevarious other options are available including: Mohs micrographicsurgery, curettage and cautery, cryosurgery, radiotherapy, topicalimiquimod, photodynamic therapy and topical 5-fluorouracil. Wediscuss and review the literature and evidence base for the treatmentoptions that are currently available for facial BCCs.

1. Introduction

2. Surgical Management

2.2. Mohs Micrographic Surgery

2.4. Cryosurgery

Dont Leave Basal Cell Carcinoma Untreated

Now that you know what happens if you leave basal cell carcinoma untreated, its time to take action on your skin cancer diagnosis. To learn more about how IG-SRT works, contact our skin cancer specialist team at 855-222-6858. We can answer your questions and help you understand whether IG-SRT is right for you.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer impacts the lives of 4 million Americans each year. GentleCure is committed to raising awareness of IG-SRT and is a trademark owned by SkinCure Oncology, LLC.

The information on this website is provided without any representations or warranties. You should not rely on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or healthcare provider. The information on this site, as well as any information provided by the skin cancer information specialists on our educational hotline, is intended to help you make a better-informed treatment decision in conjunction with trained and licensed medical professionals.

Don’t Miss: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Prognosis