Skin Cancer Care Guide

Basal Cell Skin Cancer

What is the Definition of Basal Cell Cancer or Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. It is a malignant epithelial cell tumor that begins as a papule (a small, circumscribed, solid elevation of the skin) and enlarges peripherally, developing into a crater that erodes, crusts and bleeds. Metastasis is rare, but local invasion destroys underlying and adjacent tissue. In 90 percent of all cases, the lesion is seen between the hairline and the upper lip.

Description of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common and least lethal form of all cancers. In the United States, basal cell cancer accounts for 90 percent of all skin cancers in the southern states, and 47 percent in the northern states. It occurs most frequently in people over 45 years of age, and almost twice as often in men as in women. The incidence is far more prevalent among Caucasians. It occurs less often in Asians and rarely among African-Americans. The risk of skin cancer is related to the amount of sun exposure and pigmentation in the skin. The longer the exposure to the sun and the lighter the skin, the greater the risk of skin cancer.

Causes of Basal Cell Carcinoma

The main cause of basal cell carcinoma of the skin is ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The earth’s ozone layer offers protection from UV radiation by blocking it. However, depletion of the ozone layer since the late 1970s has increased the damage to the skin that can result in cancer. Clinical trials are determining if this skin cancer can be prevented.

Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma

The five most typical characteristics of basal cell carcinoma are quite different from each other. Frequently, two or more features are present in one tumor. In addition, basal cell carcinoma sometimes resembles non-cancerous skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema. Only a trained physician, usually a dermatologist, can diagnose this cancer.

It is advisable to learn the signs of basal cell carcinoma and examine the body regularly, as often as once a month, if at high risk. A full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror can be very useful for the less visible parts of the body. The five warning signs of basal cell carcinoma are:

* An open sore that bleeds, oozes or crusts, and remains open for three or more weeks. A persistent, non-healing sore is a very common early manifestation.

* A reddish patch or an irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms or legs.

* A smooth growth with an elevated, rolled border and an indentation in the center. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface.

* A shiny bump that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red, white and can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-haired people.

* Scar-like area which often has poorly defined borders. The skin appears shiny or taut when diagnosing basal cell cancer.