Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer. It is easily treated, usually in a dermatologist's office. It can lie dormant for a long time, even years, before spreading, but it needs to be treated as soon as signs are suspected because when it spreads, more extensive treatment is necessary to take care of the damaged skin. About 1 million Americans develop basal cell skin cancer each year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Sun Exposure
Excessive exposure to the sun is a major cause of basal cell skin cancers. The cancers often appear on the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders and back, the Skin Cancer Foundation says. In rare cases, cancers can occur on unexposed areas of the skin. People who are fair skinned are at high risk, although anyone can be affected.
Development
The development of basal cell carcinoma usually takes years. Older people were most often affected, but the age at which people get basal cell carcinoma has been decreasing in recent years, probably because of more leisure time in the sun, the Skin Cancer Foundation says. Workers with outside occupations are at increased risk because of exposure to the sun. In some cases, basal cell skin cancers can result from exposure to radiation, chronic inflammatory skin conditions and complications with burns, sores, scars and infections.
Signs
Basal cell skin cancers may appear as pearly white or waxy bumps, according to the Mayo Clinic. The bump may bleed or crust. Basal cell carcinomas may also develop as brownish or flesh-colored spots that may be flat or scaly. Some cancers may develop as white, waxy scars. Pay attention to any skin sore that bleeds easily and does not heal in two weeks or that crusts or oozes. Signs may also include blood vessels around a sore or a scar that suddenly appear when there has been no injury. These and other unusual marks or moles should be checked out by a dermatologist.
Treatment
Basal cell skin cancers are easily treated in the early stages. They are usually small enough that even the incisions made to remove them don't leave much scarring, if any. If the cancers are treated in later stages, they could be larger and cause more scarring. The cancer may take a while to spread, but when it does, it can damage surrounding tissue. Skin grafting may be necessary to repair wounds and damage caused by the skin cancer. Removal is done through several methods, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes the tumor is scraped away and an electric needle burns out the base of the tumor. Surgical excision is used to cut out the cancerous tissue. Freezing is done with some basal cell cancers by using liquid nitrogen. The spot eventually falls off, but must be monitored in follow-up visits.
Recurrence
Regular visits to the dermatologist are recommended for people who have had basal cell carcinomas. These people are more likely to develop more of the skin cancers. Surgical excision is used for recurring cancers. Mohs' surgery is also an effective treatment, the Mayo Clinic notes. The cancer is removed layer by layer. The doctor examines each layer until all cancer cells have been removed. This avoids excessive removal of skin tissue.
