Have you ever noticed something like a small blister or a small wound on your skin that gradually gets bigger over time? It may be shiny or flaky. This is what we are going to talk about today, basal cell carcinoma, or
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) . Don't worry, this is a condition that can often be cured. Let's talk about it in detail.
What are Basal Cells?
Simply put, basal cells are the tiny cells that are found in the top layer of our skin, the part of the skin that we can see and touch, medically speaking,
the epidermis . These cells are the ones that help make new skin cells. They divide and make more cells like themselves. As new cells are made, old cells are pushed up, die, and are shed from our bodies. This is a normal process.
So what is Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer that we talked about earlier. It is
the most common type of skin cancer. It usually starts as a small, sometimes shiny, bump or scaly patch of skin. Over time, it gets bigger and bigger.
Are there types of basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?
Yes, there are four main types. Let's see what they are:
- Nodular type: This is the most common type of BCC . It looks like a round pimple. Sometimes there are small blood vessels clearly visible around it. Doctors call this ``Telangiectasias``.
- Superficial spreading type: In this type, spots appear on the surface of the skin. They are slightly lighter in color than the normal skin color and appear shallow. They can occur especially on the trunk, arms, and legs.
- Sclerosing (or Morpheaform) type: These cancerous spots look like scars. However, these scars get bigger and bigger. This type is most often seen on the face. Sometimes it can start as a small red spot on the skin.
- Pigmented type: This is a somewhat rare type . This is when a certain area of the skin becomes darker than the surrounding skin, which is called hyperpigmentation .
Who is more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
can actually develop in anyone . However, it is most common in people over the age of 50. It is also more common
in people with fair skin and light eyes.The risk of developing this condition is high. A person who has developed BCC once also has a higher risk of developing another type of skin cancer (nonmelanoma skin cancer) in the future.
How common is this condition?
Basal cell carcinoma is
the most common type of cancer overall, and also the most common type of skin cancer . In a country like America, it is said that the number of new cases reported each year is more than 4 million. This condition can be seen commonly in our country as well.
What are the symptoms of basal cell carcinoma?
Check if your skin has any of these changes:
- Skin bumps , blisters , pimples , flaky sores , or spots .
- This lump may be slightly translucent . It may also be a color close to your normal skin color, or it may be white, pink, brown, black, or blue.
- The lump may be a little shinier than the surrounding skin, and small blood vessels may be visible .
- This lump may get bigger over time .
- You may feel itching or pain at the site of the lump.
- The lump may become an ulcer, oozing clear fluid or bleeding when touched .
Where are the symptoms most common?
Basal cell carcinomas most commonly develop
on sun-exposed areas of the body . The most common areas are:
- Face
- Skull (for those without hair on their heads)
- Nose
- Eye drops
- Legs
- Ears
- Hands
What causes basal cell carcinoma?
The main reason is that
the DNA in our cells changes . This change often occurs when our skin is exposed to too much
UV rays from the sun or artificial UV rays from tanning beds . Think of it like our genes are like a book of instructions for our body's DNA. These instructions are what make new cells grow. Just like when you go into a room, you turn on the light, and the basal cells make new cells when needed. When you leave the room, you turn off the light, and when you no longer need them, they stop making new cells. However, if there is a mutation in the genes,
it is as if the light switch cannot be turned off . Then the basal cells continue to make new cells unnecessarily. This is how
tumors or lesions form on the skin . Very rarely,
Basal cell nevus syndrome, or Gorlin syndrome, is a hereditary condition that can cause BCC in childhood. How do you recognize this?
Depending on the appearance of your mole, a doctor may immediately suspect that it is basal cell carcinoma. However, to be sure, the doctor will examine you and ask you questions about your symptoms:- When did you notice this lump/spot on your skin?
- Did the size of this change?
- Does it look different now than it did when you first saw it?
- Does this hurt or itch?
- Have you had skin cancer before?
What kind of tests confirm this?
After a physical examination, the doctor may perform tests such as these to further confirm:- Skin biopsy: This involves taking a small piece of skin from the suspicious area and examining it under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present.
- Imaging tests: It is very rare for basal cell carcinoma to spread to other parts of the body. However, if the doctor suspects that it has, they may order an MRI scan or CT scan to see if it has spread to the lymph nodes or internal organs.
The doctor will use the results of these tests to determine the stage of your disease. This will include:- The size of the mole/tumor and how deep it has spread into the tissues beneath the skin.
- Whether there are signs of cancer in the lymph nodes.
- Whether the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body.
- The size, shape, location of the mole, and the rate at which it grows.
How is it treated?
Basal cell carcinoma is treated by removing the cancer from the body . There are several treatment options for it:- Electrodessication and curettage: This involves scraping away the cancerous lump with a special instrument (curette) and then cauterizing the area with an electric device.
- Surgery: The removal of a cancerous lump or spot with a scalpel. This is done through methods called excision or Mohs surgery .
- Cryotherapy or cryosurgery: Removal of a cancerous tumor by freezing it.
- Chemotherapy: The use of powerful drugs to kill cancer cells in the body. This is sometimes applied to the skin as a cream.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT):A method that destroys cancer cells by applying a special light-sensitive liquid to the skin and directing blue light at it.
- Laser therapy: Using laser rays (high-energy beams) instead of a scalpel to remove cancer.
Your doctor will choose the most suitable treatment for you based on factors such as your overall health, age, location of the cancer, and the size of the BCC. What happens if left untreated?
If you don't treat basal cell carcinoma, the skin cancer can grow and spread to deeper tissues under the skin, such as muscle, bone, and cartilage . The BCC can then become painful, bleed, and become infected. Although very rare, basal cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body and cause life-threatening side effects. That's why it's important to recognize and treat it early.
What are the medications for this?
Usually, the cancer is removed with surgery or another method. However, in rare cases, if your basal cell carcinoma is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized), there are two types of drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):- Vismodegib: For localized or distantly disseminated (BCC).
- Sonidegib: For disseminated BCC.
These drugs are given to people who are not suitable for surgery or radiation therapy. These drugs can cause side effects such as muscle twitching, changes in taste, and hair thinning. You should avoid getting pregnant while taking these drugs and for a few months after treatment. Are there any side effects from surgery?
Any surgery leaves a scar . The risk of bleeding or infection is low, but it does exist. What is the hope for this situation?
The prognosis for people diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is very good . It is very rare for BCC to spread to other parts of the body and cause damage. However, there is a small chance that BCC will come back after it has been removed. If you notice a new spot around a previously treated scar, see a doctor immediately . How are you surviving this?
Although basal cell carcinoma cannot be completely prevented, you can do the following to reduce your risk:- Minimize exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun's rays are strongest.
- Avoid using tanning beds completely.
- If you are outdoors or engaging in activities like swimming, wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. And reapply every two hours.
- Wear clothing designed to protect from the sun (with UPF), large hats, and sunglasses.
- Check your skin at least once a month.Check for new bumps or spots.
- See a dermatologist once a year to have your skin checked.
- If you notice any problems or changes in your skin, see a doctor immediately.
- Some studies have shown that taking 500 milligrams of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, twice daily, may reduce the risk of developing new skin cancers called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Talk to your doctor about this.
When should I see a doctor?
It's important to see a doctor if you have a skin problem that isn't getting better on its own. If you notice a new spot or lump on your skin, if an existing mole seems to be getting bigger, or if you have a skin rash that is accompanied by pain or itching, see a doctor immediately . What questions should you ask the doctor?
You can ask questions like these:- What stage is my disease in?
- Has the cancer spread to other parts of the body?
- Do I need to see a dermatologist?
- What are the side effects of the treatment you recommend?
How is this different from other skin cancers?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common type of skin cancer. There are also other types of skin cancer:- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): This is the second most common type of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It is caused by the overproduction of squamous cells in the skin, forming cancerous lumps. It most commonly occurs on the sun-exposed areas of the head and neck, trunk, and extremities.
- Melanoma: Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the cells that give skin its color, called melanocytes . Although it is not as common as BCC or SCC, it is a dangerous cancer that can spread rapidly throughout the body if not recognized and treated early.
What is a precancer?
Actinic keratosis (AK) is not a skin cancer. AK is a growth of cells in the top layer of the skin (epidermis) caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. This condition is not cancerous (i.e. , it is benign ), but it can eventually develop into skin cancer (specifically squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) . Actinic keratosis is most commonly seen on the sun-exposed areas of the head and neck, above the ears, on the lips, and on the arms and legs. Finally, a few things to remember
It's normal to feel scared when you find a cancerous lump on your skin. But remember, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common condition and can be successfully treated . You can get back to your normal life soon.The most important thing is to protect yourself from the sun and avoid using tanning beds. If you notice a new bump, blister, or spot on your skin , see a doctor without delay for an examination and, if necessary, treatment . Then you can recover completely from this condition.
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