| name: | Basal Cell Skin Cancer |
| also known as: | Basel Cell Carcinoma; Rodent Ulcer; Skin Cancer; Skin Tumor; Skin Tumour; ICD 173.9 |
| also see: | Squamous Cell Skin Cancer; Melanoma; Skin Cancer; Biopsy; ICD Code |
| description: | Basal cell skin cancer is a type of skin cancer occurring any where on the body but usually on sun exposed areas. It is the most common form of skin cancer and originates in the basal layer (deeper layer) of the epidermis. Although it continues to grow locally if not treated, it rarely if ever spreads to distant sites. Cause includes skin damage from sun exposure, arsenic exposure, x-ray exposure. Risk increased with age, fair skin, excessive exposure to the sun, but also immunodeficiency disease, immunosuppressive drugs, albinism, xeroderma pigmentosum, arsenic exposure, radiation. |
| signs & symptoms: | Includes a dome-shaped sore or a lesion that does not heal, or heals but becomes a sore again, with a pearly appearance, slightly raised borders and a central dimple occurring on sun exposed areas but mostly the face; can be a flat rough, red appearing sore that does not heal or that heals and then becomes a sore again. The A-B-C-Ds of a worrisome skin lesion include: A is for Asymmetric shape, B is for irregular Border, C is for change in Color, and D is for an increase in Diameter (growth). |
| diagnosis: | Based on signs, symptoms, history and exam, as well as a biopsy. The biopsy might be removal of only a part of the lesion for diagnosis, called an incisional biopsy, or removal of the entire lesion for both diagnosis and treatment, termed excisional biopsy. Differential diagnosis includes squamous cell skin cancer, actinic keratosis, melanoma, seborrheic keratosis, Bowen's disease, dysplastic nevus, psoriasis, molluscum contagiosum. |
| treatment: | Definitive treatment includes excision skin cancer usually requiring an incision and sutures. Some basal cell skin cancers, especially on the trunk can be treated with curettage, freezing and electrocauterization. Excision skin cancer can also include Moh's surgery. In some instances, radiation therapy especially electron beam radiation therapy might be useful where extent of disease is not deep but spreads out over such a wide area, that surgical removal would result in an unacceptable cosmetic appearance, and might not even be able to remove the extent of the disease. Areas where basal cell cancers are more aggressive include inner canthus, nasolabial lip fold, philtrum, front ear crease, back ear crease sulcus, lip, temple. Very superficial skin cancers in low risk areas might be managed with fluorouracil topical (efudex). |
| prevention: | Avoid the sun and when out in the sun, wear protective clothing including a broad brim hat and sun screen with an SPF of 30 or higher. |
| outcome: | Curable with appropriate treatment. Spread to distant sites is extremely rare. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the person has a lesion, especially on the face, ears, forearms, back of the hands, or other sunlight exposed areas that does not heal, or crusts, heals and then becomes a sore again, that is pearly in appearance, with raised borders or rolled translucent edges and a central dimple |
| go to: | Go to the doctor |
| if: | If the person would like a skin condition Internet Resource |
| go to: | Go to HealthWeb Dermatology www.medlib.iupui.edu/hw/derma/ |
| if: | National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases www.nih.gov/niams/ |
| go to: |
Last updated 7/25/2009