How would you describe basal cell carcinoma on a physical exam?

PHYSICAL FINDINGS—BASAL CELL CARCINOMAS

The hallmark of basal cell carcinoma is a waxy, translucent, or pearly appearance. Commonly, these lesions have central ulceration and a raised pale border (Figure 2). The border may be highlighted by applying traction on the skin around the lesion (Figure 3).

What are the three types of basal cell carcinoma?

There are four main clinical variants of basal cell carcinoma. These are nodular, superficial spreading, sclerosing and pigmented basal cell carcinomas.

What does BCC look like?

A reddish patch or irritated area, on the face, chest, shoulder, arm or leg that may crust, itch, hurt or cause no discomfort. A shiny bump or nodule that is pearly or clear, pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in people of color, and can be mistaken for a normal mole.

What is a BCC lesion?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a translucent or waxy appearance. It can also look like a red, scaly patch. There’s sometimes some brown or black pigment within the patch.

Is basal cell carcinoma hard or soft?

Basal cell carcinoma. This form of skin cancer usually starts as a smooth, pearly tumor with tiny blood vessels (telangiectasia) on your face – usually the nose. The tumor feels hard, is well defined, and can bleed easily if scraped.

What is the most common cause of basal cell carcinoma?

The cause of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, is well known. Most people develop it because their skin has been badly damaged by ultraviolet (UV) light from: The sun. Indoor tanning equipment (such as tanning beds or sunlamps)

Should I worry if I have basal cell carcinoma?

BCCs rarely spread beyond the original tumor site. But these lesions can grow and become disfiguring and dangerous. Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin and destroy skin, tissue and bone.

How long can you wait to have basal cell carcinoma removed?

BCC’s are slow to move and most of my patients have had them from 2 months to 5 years so waiting 1-3 months should be ok. It also depends on the location and if its near a vital structure like the eye or lips, I would remove it quickly.

How long does it take for basal cell carcinoma to spread?

The tumors enlarge very slowly, sometimes so slowly that they go unnoticed as new growths. However, the growth rate varies greatly from tumor to tumor, with some growing as much as ½ inch (about 1 centimeter) in a year. Basal cell carcinomas rarely spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

What is the most common treatment for basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is most often treated with surgery to remove all of the cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it. Options might include: Surgical excision. In this procedure, your doctor cuts out the cancerous lesion and a surrounding margin of healthy skin.

How deep do they cut for basal cell carcinoma?

The currently accepted treatment for basal cell carcinoma is an elliptical excision with a 4-mm surgical margin of clinically normal skin. However, because of cosmetic and functional constraints on the face, a 4-mm surgical margin is often not feasible.

How deep is a basal cell carcinoma?

Superficial BCC mean depths ranged from 0.17 mm on the cheek to 0.40 mm on the foot. Combined superficial and nodular BCC subtype depths ranged from 0.63 mm on the thigh to 1.50 mm on the lip. Nodular BCC depths ranged from 1.36 mm on the eyelid to 1.98 mm on the hand.

Do you need chemo for basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma very rarely reaches an advanced stage, so systemic chemotherapy is not typically used to treat these cancers. Advanced basal cell cancers are more likely to be treated with targeted therapy.

What is the average size of a basal cell carcinoma?

The average diameter of the basal cell carcinoma was 12.1 mm; 47 percent of these lesions had a diameter of less than 10 mm. The average diameter of the squamous cell carcinoma was 16.9 mm; 26 percent of these lesions had a diameter of less than 10 mm.

What is the life expectancy of someone with basal cell carcinoma?

Survival for most non-melanoma skin cancers is excellent. The 5-year relative survival for BCC is 100%. This means that, on average, all of the people diagnosed with BCC are just as likely to live at least 5 years after their diagnosis as people in the general population.

Can you pick off basal cell carcinoma?

Yes, you might be able to pick this crusty lesion off with your fingers. But it would grow back. The right thing to do is see a dermatologist and have it removed.

Is basal cell carcinoma flat or raised?

Basal cell carcinomas

Basal cell cancers usually develop on areas exposed to the sun, especially the face, head, and neck, but they can occur anywhere on the body. These cancers can appear as: Flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, similar to a scar. Raised reddish patches that might be itchy.

What is considered early detection of basal cell carcinoma?

It may feel itchy, tender, or painful. Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers can look like a variety of marks on the skin. The key warning signs are a new growth, a spot or bump that’s getting larger over time, or a sore that doesn’t heal within a few weeks.