Basal Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer is a common type of cancer that affects your body and develops due to abnormal growth of skin cells, namely the melanocytes, keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel's cells. This type of cancer commonly develops in sun-exposed areas. However, it can also occur in other areas of your body. There are several skin cancers, but the one discussed in this article is "Basal cell carcinoma." This type of skin cancer causes a lump, bump, or lesion on the superficial layer of the skin known as the epidermis. It commonly occurs more in men than women over the age of 50 years. 

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer overall and the most common type of skin cancer. Read on to learn about basal cell carcinoma and be well-informed about seeking medical help at the right time.

What are Basal Cells?

Basal cells are microscopic cells in the outer layer of your skin (epidermis). These cells make new skin cells by dividing and multiplying themselves. When basal cells create new cells, the older skin cells push to the surface of your epidermis, where they die and leave your body. 

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer that forms on the basal cells in your skin. It looks like a small, shiny bump or scaly, flat patch on your skin that gradually grows over time. It initially begins on your nose or other parts of your face, but you can get bumps or patches on any of your body parts, including your trunk, legs, and arms. 

The cancer is unlikely to spread to other body parts but can move nearby into bone or other tissues under your skin. Basal cell carcinoma grows very slowly and often doesn't appear for many years.

What Are The Types of Basal Cell Carcinoma?

There are four main types of basal cell carcinoma, including:

Nodular

• This is the most common type of BCC.
• Here, the nodular BCC looks like a round pimple with visible blood vessels surrounding it. 

Superficial Spreading

• Here, the lesions appear as small, shallow marks on your skin. 
• These lesions are slightly lighter in color than the surrounding skin. 
• They usually appear on your trunk, arms, and legs. 

Sclerosing

• These lesions look like scars that slowly expand over time. 
• Sclerosing BCC scars are commonly seen on your face. 

Pigmented

• This is a rare form of BCC that causes hyperpigmentation. 
• Here, an area of your skin becomes darker than the surrounding one. 

What Causes Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Research studies believe abnormal changes in your DNA cause basal cell carcinoma. These DNA mutations commonly occur due to chronic sun exposure from sunlight or tanning beds. 

Abnormal DNA and gene mutation cause the basal cells to produce too many cells, which causes lumps or lesions to form in the outer layer of your skin (epidermis). Furthermore, a rare form of inherited condition called nevus syndrome can cause BCC in childhood. 

Risk factors for BCC include:

• Increased exposure to UV rays 
• Previous history of skin cancer 
• Age older than 50 years
• Fair skin
• Being a male
• Ongoing skin infections and inflammations from burns or scars

What Are The Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma commonly appears on areas of your body exposed to the sun for a prolonged period. Your face, scalp, nose, eyelids, legs, ears, and arms are common areas where you can develop BCC lumps. 

The symptoms of BCC include:

• Lumps, bumps, pimples, scans, or scaly lesions on your skin.
• The lump may be slightly translucent and appear close to your normal skin color. 
• The lumps may also appear white, pink, brown, or black to blue. 
• The lump may appear shinier than the skin around it, with visible blood vessels. 
• The lump may grow slowly over time.
• The lump may be itchy or painful.
• If not treated, the lump may form an ulcer, which can ooze clear fluid or bleed with contact.

How is Basal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosed?

If you notice any lump or scar, consult a doctor for further evaluation. Your doctor may diagnose BCC through a physical exam and diagnostic tests. The physical examination helps determine the type of BCC, its extent, and how fast it has been growing. 

Additionally, your doctor may recommend the following diagnostic tests:

• Skin biopsy, where a small tissue sample is collected and studied under a microscope to rule out other types of skin cancer.
• Imaging tests like MRI or CT scan to evaluate the extent to which the cancer has spread. 

How is Basal Cell Carcinoma Treated?

Treatment for BCC depends on the type and extent of the cancer. Treatment options include:

Electrodesiccation And Curettage

• A special instrument known as the curette is used to scrape off the cancerous lump and burn it with a special electric needle. 

Surgery 

• This is a traditional form of surgical removal of the cancerous tumor using a surgical knife or a scalpel (Mohs Surgery).

Cryotherapy

• This procedure involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the cancer cells and destroy them to shrink the cancerous lump. 

Chemotherapy

• Specially formulated powerful cancer drugs are injected directly into the bloodstream through intravenous infusion to kill the cancer cells. 

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) 

• A light-sensitive agent is applied to the lump and targeted with a blue light to destroy the cancer cells. 

Laser Therapy

• Here, your doctor uses a wide range of laser beams of different wavelengths to administer light energy, which is converted to heat energy and destroyed by the cancer cells. 

How Can You Prevent Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Although all cases of BCC cannot be prevented, you can certainly adopt a few steps to reduce your risk. These include:

• Avoid excessive sun exposure from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Avoiding tanning beds.
• Applying and reapplying a broad spectrum sunscreen when outdoors every 2 hours.
• Wearing full covering clothes when outdoors.
• Learning to perform a self-exam once per month.
• Visiting a dermatologist (a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails) annually for a skin examination.

Bottom Line

Finding a cancerous lump in your body can be scary and daunting. Basal cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer that develops due to the overproduction of skin cells by the basal cells due to an abnormal gene and DNA mutation. Consult your dermatologist immediately if you notice any lumps or scars on your face, eyelids, nose, scalp, trunk, arms, or legs for further evaluation. Early detection and prompt treatment for BCC pave the way for a positive prognosis and enable you to improve your quality of life.