Bhargav

· 18 Nov 2021

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Basal cell skin cancer

In addition to being the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) also occurs more frequently than any other type of cancer. Every year, approximately 3.6 million new cases are reported in the United States alone. BCCs are formed as a result of the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of basal cells.

Because BCCs grow slowly, most of them are curable and cause minimal damage if they are detected and treated promptly. Understanding the causes, risk factors, and warning signs of BCC can assist you in detecting them early when they are the most treatable and curable of cancers.

What is a basal cell?

Basal cells are one of three types of cells that make up the top layer of the skin, and they shed as new ones grow in their place. BCC most commonly occurs when DNA damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning causes changes in basal cells in the outermost layer of skin (epidermis), resulting in uncontrolled growth of the basal cells in the epidermis.

What does BCC look like?

It is possible for BCCs to appear as open sores, red patches or pink growths on the skin. They can also occur as scars or changes that are slightly elevated with rolled edges and/or a central indentation. BCCs may ooze, crust, itch, or bleed from time to time. The lesions are most commonly found in areas of the body that are exposed to the sun. About half of BCCs in patients with darker skin is pigmented, according to the American Cancer Society (meaning brown in color).

How dangerous is BCC?

While basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) rarely spread beyond the original tumour site, if left untreated, these lesions can become disfiguring and potentially dangerous. BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin, and eventually destroy skin, tissue, and bone if left untreated. Leaving a BCC untreated increases the likelihood that it will recur, and in some cases repeat itself multiple times. A small number of sporadic and aggressive claims of BCC spreading to other parts of the body have been reported. It is possible that this type of BCC will become life-threatening in rarer instances.

While basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are rare tumours that spread beyond the original tumour site, these lesions can become disfiguring and even life-threatening if left untreated. Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, spread widely and deeply into the skin, and eventually destroy the skin, the tissue surrounding it, and the bone. A BCC that is not treated increases the likelihood of returning and producing more than once in some cases. A minimal number of sporadic and aggressive claims of BCC spreading to different body areas have been made. Occasionally, this type of BCC can become life-threatening, but this is a rare occurrence.




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