A basal cell carcinoma skin cancer is the result of sun damage to the skin. The cancer tends to get bigger in a slow and steady pattern. It has the ability to spread to nearby tissue. However, it cannot spread to the distant part of the body.
The best and only way to detect this cancer is to have a biopsy. The procedure involves removing a small piece of skin and letting it be looked at under a microscope by a pathologist in a medical laboratory.
The process does not work to remove the cancer. It just takes off at the top like the tip of an iceberg. Sometimes the skin works to heal itself once the biopsy is done as it begins to grow over the cancer.
Now, this does not indicate that the cancer has disappeared. It simply means that the cancer is covered by a layer of skin. If the cancer is not completely removed, it can go deep into the skin and cause further damage.
Basal cell carcinoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. This cancer can be quite destructive and even disfiguring. It consists of the risk of developing serious skin problems.
People with a family history of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer are more vulnerable to developing this disease. Also people who have been exposed to sunlight or cancer-causing chemicals such as arsenic are at higher risk of developing this disease.
The treatment of this dangerous disease is through surgery, topical chemotherapy, cryosurgery or photodynamic therapy. The disease is not life-threatening. However, if left untreated, the disease can disfigure the skin, cause bleeding, and even cause local destruction in areas such as the eyes, ears, nose, and lips.
There are several types of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer as mentioned below:
a) nodular
This appears as a flesh-colored papule with telangiectasias. In case it ulcerates, it is
results in ‘rodent ulcer’. It is an ulcerous nodule with a pearly border.
b) cystic
This is a rare type of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer and very difficult to distinguish from the nodular type. It has a cavity in the center with liquid.
c) pigmented
This is another variant of the nodular type of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer. This is not to be confused with melanoma.
d) sclerosing
It is a scar like injury.
e) superficial
This type of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer appears as a red scaly patch.
Basal cell carcinoma skin cancer may look different than normal skin. It can also appear as a skin bump or growth that looks pearly, waxy, white, light pink, flesh-colored, brown, or even flat.
Here are some symptoms of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer:
o A skin sore that can bleed easily
o A sore that does not heal properly
o Scabby sore or oozing spots
o Pain like a scar without an injured area.
o Irregular blood vessels around the site
– Go rushing to a skin doctor as soon as you notice some of the above symptoms.
