What is Basal Cell Carcinoma and What Does It Look Like?
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most diagnosed form of skin cancer, with millions of cases each year in the U.S. It appears on the skin in a variety of sizes and shapes, such as dome-shaped growth with visible blood vessels, shiny patches, brown/black growths, sores, or white/yellow scar-like growths.
Repeated sun exposure is a common cause of BCC, especially on the head, face, neck, and hands. However, BCC can develop anywhere on the body. BCC rarely spreads, but early identification and treatment are still important. If left untreated, it can grow deeper and destroy skin tissue.
Who Gets Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Everyone can get BCC, but it is more common with:
- Those with lighter hair, skin, and eyes (fair skin, red or blond hair, blue or green eyes).
- Those who use indoor tanning devices.
- Those who have Gorlin syndrome.
- Those with a close blood relative who has had skin cancer.
- Those with a weaker immune system.
Exposure to UV rays through sunlight or tanning is a big factor. Prolonged exposure to the sun each day, as you age, even driving in your car or sitting near your office window, can increase your risk of developing BCC.
Reducing Your Risk
If you’ve been diagnosed with BCC, you’re also at risk for developing other skin cancers, such as melanoma. To prevent skin cancer development:
- Dress appropriately in the sun. Wear a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
- Use shade. The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or so, even on cloudy days, especially after swimming or sweating.
- Be cautious around snow, sand, and water. These reflect and intensify UV rays, increasing the risk of sunburn.
- Avoid tanning beds. Just one indoor tanning session can increase your risk for skin cancer.
- Keep all your dermatologist revision appointments. When detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
- Perform self-exams on your skin. Check yourself regularly for any growths or spots that seem questionable, and keep track of moles and freckles.
Diagnosing and Treating Basal Cell Carcinoma
When found early, BCC is very treatable. Diagnosis is typically done with a skin biopsy. A skin tissue sample (usually part or all of the suspected BCC) will be taken and microscopically examined to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment depends on where the BCC is located, its size, and your overall health. Treatment options include:
- Excision involves surgically removing the BCC along with some of the normal-looking skin around it. The removed tissue is then examined microscopically to determine if all cancer cells have been removed.
- Mohs surgery is the most successful technique for eliminating skin cancer, with a 99% success rate. In this process, the cancer is removed layer by layer in one session until it’s gone. Dermatologists who have completed specialized training in Mohs surgery can perform this procedure.
- Electrodesiccation and curettage remove the cancer by scraping it from the skin (curettage) and then heating the area to destroy leftover cancer cells (electrodessication).
- Radiation treatments may be recommended if the patient cannot undergo surgery, the cancer is too aggressive for surgery alone, or when surgery isn’t the best option.
- Cryosurgery destroys cancer cells by freezing them with liquid nitrogen.
- Photodynamic therapy uses UV light along with a light-sensitive solution to destroy cancer cells.
- Topical therapy can be prescribed and applied at home to destroy cancer cells.
- Oral medication can also be prescribed to patients who have advanced BCC that can’t be cut out or removed with radiation, or in rare cases when the BCC has spread to other body parts.
Basal Cell Carcinoma FAQS
Is basal cell carcinoma a serious cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma is among the less aggressive types of skin cancer, because it rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It can still grow into nearby tissue if left untreated, which is why a board-certified dermatologist typically recommends treatment once it’s diagnosed.
What is the outlook for someone with basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is associated with a very favorable long-term outlook because it grows slowly and rarely spreads beyond the skin. Most cases are fully treated with outpatient procedures like excision or Mohs surgery, and the cancer does not typically affect overall life expectancy when treated.
How fast does basal cell carcinoma spread?
Basal cell carcinoma typically grows slowly, often over months to years, rather than spreading rapidly like some other cancers. Growth rate can vary based on the location and size of the lesion, which is why your dermatologist evaluates each case individually.
What happens if basal cell carcinoma isn’t treated?
Despite being one of the less aggressive, slower moving cancers, it can still damage surrounding skin, tissue, and even nearby bone or nerve structures. Without treatment, the abnormal cells can damage surrounding skin, tissue, or, in some cases, nearby bone or nerve structures. Most cases are straightforward to treat when caught early, which is why a prompt evaluation by a dermatologist is recommended.
