BASAL CELL CANCER
Definition
Basal cell cancer occurs when skin cells undergo cancerous changes.
What is going on
in the body?
Over 500,000 people a year in the United States are affected by basal cell
carcinoma. Basal cell cancer arises from cells that have been damaged by
exposure to the sun over many years. That is why most of these cancers occur on
the head or neck. Middle-aged or older persons and those people who work outside
are the most likely to develop these cancers. Skin that has been damaged by
sunburn over and over again can cause skin cells to lose their ability to repair
themselves. Cancer develops when the damage causes the cells to grow and divide
abnormally. These cancerous cells can become tumors and will damage the skin
around them.
What are the
signs and symptoms of the disease?
Basal cell cancer may start as a well-defined area of the skin that changes
color. These areas may appear and then grow rapidly. The coloration and shape of
the basal cell carcinoma can vary considerably. It may be hard to tell if a spot
on the skin is basal cell cancer, another kind of skin cancer, or a normal mole.
Sometimes an area of basal cell cancer looks like a scar.
What are the
causes and risks of the disease?
Exposure to the sun over many years is the cause of basal cell cancer. The more
often a person is exposed to the sun, the more likely it is that later in life
an area of basal cell cancer will develop.
What can be done
to prevent the disease?
Avoiding exposure to the sun is very important. Spending less time in the sun
will greatly lower a person's chances of developing basal cell cancer. When
exposure to the sun can't be avoided, a person should use protective sunscreens.
However, sometimes people spend more time in the sun when they are using
sunscreen. It is important not to spend too much time in the sun whether the
skin is protected or not.
How is the
disease diagnosed?
A person notices an unusual spot or bump on the skin. This area may grow, change
colors, itch, or otherwise make the person suspect that there is a problem. A
doctor must remove the area and have it examined to confirm that it is basal
cell cancer. The following changes in an area of skin should be checked by a
doctor: change in color change in size change in shape change in elevation
change in surface change in surrounding skin change in sensation change in
consistency
What are the
long-term effects?
If basal cell cancer is not treated, it will destroy the skin around it. It can
destroy underlying tissue as well. Basal cell cancer generally only affects the
tissue and structures around it. It doesn't usually spread through the blood to
other areas of the body. As with any cancer, early detection is important.
What are the
risks to others?
There are no risks to others from those who have basal cell cancer. It cannot be
spread from one person to another.
What are the
treatments?
Basal cell cancer is treated with simple surgery. All of the cancerous tissue
and a small amount of surrounding tissue are removed. Most of the time this
cures the cancer completely. The affected area can also be frozen with
substances such as liquid nitrogen. Freezing the basal cell cancer will kill it.
Sometimes medication, such as fluorouracil,
can be applied to the area to kill the cancer. If the basal cell cancer comes
back, any of these methods can be used again. Many times, though, surgery will
be used to treat basal cell cancer that has come back.
What are the
side effects of the treatments?
A person usually recovers from surgery without any complications. A person
usually has only minor discomfort as the skin heals.
What happens
after treatment?
Someone who has had one basal cell cancer is likely to develop more in the
future. A person should watch for any new skin lesions that may develop. A
person should also monitor any area where basal cell cancer has been removed.
Any new lesions or changes in the treated area should be reported to a
healthcare provider.
How is the
disease monitored?
The treated area will be followed closely for any signs of regrowth of the
cancer. A healthcare provider or dermatologist will do this. The person should
also check the area often and report any problems.
