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See also cancers of the mouth and face
What are basal-cell carcinomas?
Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and also commonly known as rodent
ulcers because they gradually gnaw away in the skin (like a rodent).
They are a type of skin cancer but because they grow slowly and
do not (usually) spread to other parts of the body.
Why should basal cell carcinomas be treated?
With treatment of basal cell carcinomas, you can achieve a complete
cure. Without treatment, they will get larger with time. Because
they are a cancer, your surgeon will want to remove a margin of
normal looking tissue around them to make sure that nothing is
left behind to continue to grow. For this reason, it is easier
and less damaging to remove them when they are small.
Where and why do people develop basal cell carcinomas?
About 85% of basal cell carcinomas develop on the face, head
or neck of susceptible people. They are often treated by dermatologists
or oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
We believe that exposure to the sun causes damage to cells in
the skin and this can start off this type of cancerous change.
People who are most susceptible to sunburn are often those most
likely to develop BCCs eg people with red hair and fair skin,
those who freckle and don't tan and those who have lived in the
tropics. BCCs are more common in some families and are one feature
of some genetic syndromes.
How to stay safe in the sun
What do basal cell carcinomas look like?
BCCs often start off looking like a small pearly spot, which
slowly grows in size and eventually loses its surface to form
a small and then larger ulcer. It is rare for them to hurt, though
they might bleed (eg on shaving).
What are the treatment options for basal cell carcinomas?
The main treatment for basal cell carcinomas is surgical removal
of the BCC and a margin or normal-looking skin around it. This
will be checked by the pathologist to make sure that it is a BCC
and not another type of cancer. If it is 'just a BCC', you rarely
will require any further treatment.
If you have developed one BCC, you are at a higher risk of developing
further ones - so you, your doctor and/or dentist should be on
the lookout for new ones.
If your BCC is large when it is diagnosed it will be more difficult
to remove and give a good functional and cosmetic result. Sometimes
you will need to have skin grafts etc to close up the area removed.
If this more complex treatment will be necessary, your surgeon
will advise you of your options.
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