What is the cause of basal cell carcinoma?
Most basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are caused by repeated and unprotected skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight, as well as from man-made sources such as tanning beds. UV rays can damage the DNA inside skin cells.
What would be your primary reason for suspecting it is a basal cell carcinoma?
A main cause of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is exposure to ultraviolet rays. Sun safety is the best way to prevent BCC.
What are the risk factors for basal cell carcinoma?
Several risk factors make a person more likely to get basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer.
- Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. …
- Having light-colored skin. …
- Being older. …
- Being male. …
- Exposure to certain chemicals. …
- Radiation exposure. …
- Previous skin cancer. …
- Long-term or severe skin inflammation or injury.
What is the etiology of skin cancer?
Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. When you don’t protect your skin, UV rays from sunlight or tanning beds can damage your skin’s DNA. When the DNA is altered, it can’t properly control skin cell growth, leading to cancer.
Should I worry about basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer that grows on parts of your skin that get a lot of sun. It’s natural to feel worried when your doctor tells you that you have it, but keep in mind that it’s the least risky type of skin cancer. As long as you catch it early, you can be cured.
What happens if you don’t remove basal cell carcinoma?
It rarely spreads to other parts of the body. This type of skin cancer needs to be treated and has a high cure rate. If left untreated, basal cell carcinomas can become quite large, cause disfigurement, and in rare cases, spread to other parts of the body and cause death.
Can a shave biopsy remove basal cell carcinoma?
A shave biopsy can be used to remove basal cell or squamous cell cancers that aren’t very deep. It’s not commonly used to diagnose melanoma.
Do basal cell carcinomas go away on their own?
Basal cell carcinomas may appear to heal on their own but inevitably will recur.
How do they cut out basal cell carcinoma?
Surgery
- Surgical excision. In this procedure, your doctor cuts out the cancerous lesion and a surrounding margin of healthy skin. …
- Mohs surgery. During Mohs surgery, your doctor removes the cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under the microscope until no abnormal cells remain.
Is basal cell carcinoma malignant or benign?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is most often a benign form of skin cancer caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. However, it’s the most frequently occurring form of all skin cancers, with more than 3 million people developing BCC in the U.S. every year.
What is the difference between basal cell carcinoma and melanoma?
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes. While it is less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage.
Is Basal Cell Carcinoma itchy?
Basal cell carcinomas
Raised reddish patches that might be itchy. Small, pink or red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps, which might have blue, brown, or black areas.