What is a Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. It accounts for 90% of the skin cancers that are diagnosed each year. Found locally in the superficial layers of the skin, this skin cancer is rarely life threatening. It generally stays localized and slowly grows in surrounding areas destroying tissue causing severe deformities if left untreated. 

Usually on the areas of skin most commonly exposed to UV rays – like noses and ears, but can also occur on areas like the neck, back and scalp. 

Many people say that they thought it was just a “pimple” due to the appearance initially. They can have many different characteristics including:

• A persistent, non-healing sore that bleeds and crusts over
• A pink, red or white bump on the skin with a shiny appearance
• A reddish, irritated-looking patch of skin
• A scar-like area
• A bump with visible blood vessels or elevated borders

Once a biopsy has been done to confirm that the spot is in fact a BCC and the subtype, treatment can begin. The two most common sub-types of BCC's are superficial, nodular or infiltrative. 

Treatment options for BCC's  vary depending on the size, location and subtype, as well as the patient’s health status. Options include a simple surgical excision (wide excision), curettage and desiccation, topical creams to alter the immune system, Photodynamic Therapy or Co2 laser. For lesions on cosmetically sensitive areas, are large, or complicated, Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the most successful treatment option wit the highest cure rates.

Read about Mohs Micrographic Surgery HERE.

Compared to a wide excision, where tumour margins cannot be determined till after removal and can take approximately 2-3 weeks for results, Mohs Micrographic Surgery allows for immediate tissue analysis and clear margins can be determined at the time of removal.