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Basal cell carcinoma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Rodent ulcer; Skin cancer - basal cell; Cancer - skin - basal cell

Treatment:

Treatment varies depending on the size, depth, and location of the basal cell cancer. It will be removed using one of the following procedures:

• Excision cuts the tumor out and uses stitches to place the skin back together.
• Curettage and electrodesiccation scrapes away the cancer and uses electricity to kill any remaining cancer cells.
• Surgery, including Mohs surgery, which cuts out skin and immediately looks at it under a microscope to check for cancer. The process is repeated until the skin sample is free of cancer.
• Cryosurgery freezes and kills the cancer cells.
• Radiation may be used if the cancer has spread to organs or lymph nodes or for tumors that can't be treated with surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

The rate of basal cell skin cancer returning is about 1% with Mohs surgery to up to 10% for other forms of treatment. Smaller basal cell carcinomas are less likely to come back than larger ones.

You should follow-up with your doctor as recommended and regularly examine your skin once a month, using a mirror to check hard-to-see places. Call your doctor if you notice any suspicious skin changes.

Complications:

Untreated, basal cell cancer can spread to nearby tissues or structures, causing damage. This is most worrisome around the nose, eyes, and ears.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if any you notice any changes in the color, size, texture, or appearance of any area of skin. You should also call if an existing spot becomes painful or swollen, or if it starts to bleed or itch.

References:

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology . 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Inc. 2004:724-735.

Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG. Clinical Oncology . 3rd ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2004:449-452.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:772-773.

• Review Date: 7/27/2006
• Reviewed By: Shlomit Halachmi, MD, PhD, Private Practice Specializing in Dermatology, Somerville, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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