A worldwide known form of cancer is Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which records around 80 percent cases of skin cancer. Generally, people with fair complexion are likely to get affected by this form of cancer. Caucasians are more prone to BCC and even Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Africans can contract this problem.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are non-melanoma skin cancers, which are the most frequent kinds of cancer around countries. In fact, both these cancers are curable especially if it is detected during early stages, when the tumors are comparatively thinner and smaller. The form of treatment selected is completely dependent on its size (how large it is) and its location on the body (where it is found on the body).
Causes of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is caused by excessive exposure to UV rays of the sun. Even tanning salons are also one of the reasons for BCC. However, according to experts, squamous cell carcinoma is more related to sun exposure than BCC. It has also been noticed that BCC arises on body parts, which are not exposed to sun. Hence, it is concluded that people living in regions nearer to Equator may also develop basal cell carcinoma lesion in their early twenties. Usually, ten to twenty years is the brooding period for BCC.
Types of Basal Cell Carcinoma
There are about 5 kinds of BCCs. These are:
- Nodular: You will find around 60 percent of BCCs to be nodular. These kinds of BCC begin as well-defined and flat lesions, which become small bumps gradually. Eventually, it subsides in the center, and leaves an elevate ring on the border. The majority of nodular BCCs arise on the face.
- Pigmented: These kinds of BCCs are akin to the nodular type. However, black or brown spots characterize these types. People often confuse these types of BCCs with various types of melanoma.
- Fibrosing or Sclerotic: These kinds of BCCs are akin to scars and generally appear on the face. These are typically ill defined at the border, firm, depressed, or flat in form. It is normally yellow in color, and has a shiny and smooth surface.
- Superficial: You will find about 15 percent of these kinds of BCCs. These spread externally from a well-defined, red, and scaly patch. It, generally, arises on limbs and on the trunk. People often confuse these types of BCCs with eczema or psoriasis.
- Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus: These kinds of BCCs are the rarest. Typically, it is elevated, smooth and smaller, found on the groin, the back, or on sole of the foot. Since, these regions of the body are not exposed to the sun; hence, this type is not a sun-related disease.
Appearance of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Doctors describe a Basal Cell Carcinoma lesion as a 'pearly papule'. Pearly means that it shines slightly. It is not like 'non-cancerous' and benign lesions, which are usually brown and scaly. Papule means that it is raised on the surface of the skin.
BCCs have enlarged blood vessels, which are known as 'telangiectasia'. According to experts, the basal cell carcinoma, sometimes take on several appearances. Hence, a skin biopsy is the best way for right diagnosis.
Diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma
The biopsy of the skin can well examine the cancer. The process involves deletion of skin tissue for assessment below a microscope. There are 2 types of biopsies, however, which is opted is dependent on the depth of the lesion into the skin.
- Shave biopsy: it is the most opted method of biopsy. In this kind of biopsy, a slim surgical blade is used to shave off the top layers of skin.
- Punch biopsy: In this kind of biopsy, a cutter-like tool, which is round, is used to obtain a sample from deeper skin.
Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma
The kind of treatment preferred for Basal Cell Carcinoma is dependent on its extent, location, size and type. Basal Cell Carcinoma does not extend to other organs of the body, however, the BCC lesion cause disfigurement; hence, it should be removed as early as possible. Various treatments of BCC are:
- Curettage and electrodessication: these are quick, simple and effective methods for destroying both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
- Surgical excision (removal): this process of removal is used for both recurring and primary tumors of BCC. In this method, tumor is completely eliminated.
- Mohs surgery: It is also known as 'micrographic surgery'. This method is opted in cases, when the lesion is of sclerotic type, recurring, on the face or has a diameter more than 2 cm.
- Topical creams: Application of creams includes imiquimod, which is FDA-approved. This cream is highly used for treating superficial BCCs and not the ones on the face. 5-flourouracil creams such as Carac and Efudex are other creams used for treatment of BCC, which is superficial.
Expert advice should be sought to know what treatment would be best.