Carcinoma - Basal-Cell

What Is It?

Basal cells are small, round skin cells normally found in the lower portion of the outermost layer of your skin (called the epidermis). When these cells become cancerous, they typically turn into small skin tumors that sometimes destroy skin and nearby tissues. This can be especially devastating if a basal cell cancer develops on the face, where it can cause disfigurement, and can interfere with the function of the eyelids and mouth. Basal cell tumors rarely spread (metastasize) or cause death.

Like the two other common forms of skin cancer — squamous-cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma — basal cell cancer develops because of repeated, long-term exposure to the sun. That's why basal cell cancer is most common in people who spend a great deal of time in the sun, especially if they have light skin and blue eyes. Less often, basal cell cancer may result from exposure to arsenic or certain industrial pollutants. Older people who received X-ray treatment for acne as teenagers are at higher risk of developing basal cell cancer.

Basal cell cancer is the most common form of skin cancer diagnosed in the United States. More than 750,000 people are treated for it every year. Although about 90 percent of basal cell cancers are found on some part of the face, this cancer can grow on any unprotected portion of the body exposed to sunlight.

Symptoms

A basal cell skin cancer usually appears as a tiny, painless lump with a pearly surface. As the cancer slowly grows, the center of the lump may become sore and produce a crater that bleeds, crusts or forms a scab. Although it is commonly located on the face, particularly the nose, basal cell cancer can develop on the ears, back, neck and other skin surfaces frequently exposed to the sun.

A rare type of basal cell cancer called a morpheaform basal cell carcinoma may look like a small scar.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine your skin and perform a biopsy, which involves removing skin so it can be examined in a laboratory. In some cases, the doctor will cut or shave away a small piece of abnormal skin to serve as the biopsy sample. In other cases, the doctor will remove the entire abnormal area and send it to the laboratory for examination.

Expected Duration

Once a basal cell cancer develops on the skin, it usually grows slowly. It can become very large, especially if it is on your lower back, the back of your shoulder or some other area that you do not usually see in the mirror.

Prevention