Basal cell carcinoma - It is the most common type of skin cancer. Very rarely do metastasize or cause death, but it is however considered malignant because it can cause significant destruction and disfigurement by invading surrounding tissues. Statistically, about 3 in 10 Caucasians can develop a basal cell cancer during their lifetime. In 80 percent of cases, basal cell cancer is on head and neck.

Basal cell carcinoma - Signs, symptoms and causes

- Patients present with a lump shiny pearl. However, superficial basal cell cancer may have a red patch as eczema.
Infiltrative basal cell cancers or morpheaform may present as a thickening of the skin or scar tissue - this makes diagnosis is difficult to find without using a skin biopsy. It is often difficult to distinguish between basal cell cancer from acne scar, actinic elastosis, and recent cryodestruction inflammation.

Basal cell carcinoma - Treatment

The following methods are used in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Surgical excision standard

Removes cancer and parts of surrounding healthy tissue. model removed is examined under a microscope to determine whether skin cancer was removed.

MOHS Micrographic Surgery

Performed by a surgeon trained dermatologist, Mohs allows the surgeon to change the normal skin simultaneously eliminating cancer.

Immunotherapy

ELECTRODESICCATION AND curettage

Eliminate cancerous tumor by scraping (curetting). Base tumor is burned (cauterizes) with an electric needle (electrodesiccation).

Cryotherapy

Remove the tumors by freezing with liquid nitrogen.

Radiotherapy

energy X-rays, which also helps to prevent continued growth.

TOPICAL THERAPY

Drugs, such as Imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil can be applied to home to the treatment of cancer.