Basal cell carcinoma, known as BCC, develops in the basal cells, a type of skin cancer. Normal basal cells’ role is to replace old cells with new ones. Cancer that develops in the basal cells results in tumors that emerge on the skin’s surface. The tumors usually look like bumps, sores, growths, scars, and sometimes, red patches.
Basal cell carcinoma isn’t a serious type of cancer because it rarely spreads. It can be easily treated. However, it might leave some disfigurement. As long as it doesn’t spread, BCC isn’t a serious problem.
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common skin cancer. Millions of people get BCC in their lives and get rid of it easily.
The symptoms of basal cell carcinoma?
BCCs usually develop on skin areas exposed to the sun. The tumors are usually found on the face, ears, shoulders, scalp, arms, and neck. Only in rare cases that you find BCC develop on other skin areas.
When it comes to physical pain or annoyance, basal cell carcinoma doesn’t have any significant effects. The only major symptom is the change it affects on the appearance of your skin.
There are various types of commonly known BCCs. Here are the most common BCCs:
- Superficial BCC: This type develops on the back and chest. It has the appearance of a reddish patch. It often looks flat and scaly. This type has a raised edge.
- Morpheaform BCC: This type is the less common BCCs. It takes the appearance of a scarlike lesion with a whitish patch and has no defined border. It’s one of the most invasive BCCs that causes disfigurement.
- Nonulcerative BCC: This BCC looks like a bump on the skin. It usually takes color of the skin. Blood vessels are visible in this type of BCC; they’re visible if you look closely. And you usually find it on the face, neck, or ears.
- Pigmented BCC: This type is one of the most common BCCs. It appears as a brown, blue, or black lesion with a raised border.
- Basosquamous BCC: This is one of the least common types of skin cancer. It’s relatively more alarming than the others because it can often metastasize.
Causes of basal cell carcinoma?
The most common cause of this type of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet light. When you get constant exposure to the sun, especially if you have fair skin, you’re very likely to develop this stuff; sunburns are serious.
Other environmental and internal causes can trigger BCCs to develop. Here are some:
- Skin exposure to radiation
- Skin exposure to arsenic
- Complications that develop from scars, vaccinations, tattoos, infections, and burns
- Inflammatory skin conditions
How can you treat basal cell carcinoma?
Depending on the type of basal cell carcinoma, the doctor might suggest various treatments. Other factors such as the size of the lesion and the location of the lesion determine the type of the treatment.
Treatments include:
Curettage and electrodessication
Curettage and electrodesiccation are one of the most effective procedures to treat basal cell carcinoma with a high success rate. It usually doesn’t leave anything but a small white scar, depending on the size of the lesion.
Excisional surgery
Excisional surgery is another effective method of treating basal cell carcinoma with a high success rate. It only leaves a small scar, depending on the size of the lesion, due to stitch use.
Surgery is the most effective treatment method to treat BCCs that risks infecting the other areas surrounding it.
There are two types of surgery: the one described above and micrographic surgery.
The second type uses continuous removal of microscopic layers of the skin with the infection step by step.
Recovering from BCC treatment is easy and only requires taking care of your hygiene and nutrition and what the doctor recommends.
Bottom line
BCCs are obviously not a big problem, thanks to modern science. They can be treated easily.
Because prevention is always better than seeking a cure after the situation gets serious., how can you prevent basal cell carcinoma?
Applying sunscreen when you expose your skin to the sun should be something to consider if you want to prevent BCCs from developing.