Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer—3.6 million cases are diagnosed each year. And it’s the most commonly diagnosed of all cancers.

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that millions of people get each year from sun exposure. Basal cells are a type of cell in the top layer of the skin. They are susceptible to DNA damage from the sun. Once damaged, these basal cells grow uncontrollably.

What Does it Look Like?

Basal cell carcinoma comes in all different shapes and sizes and colors. It’s brown for people with deep skin tones, and pink for people with fair skin tones. Some are elevated, have a rolled edge, and have an indentation in the middle. Others look like:

• Open sores
• Shiny scars
• Bumps
• Red patches

What Does It Do?

Lesions can bleed, ooze, crust, and itch. They’re slow-growing, which means most people can get diagnosed and treated before it’s too late.

It’s Rarely Life-Threatening

Basal cell carcinoma usually stays in place (it rarely spreads to other parts of the body). Still, if left untreated, it can grow and cause problems like destroying skin, tissue, and bone.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Stages

There are several stages of basal cell carcinoma. They start with stage 0, which means cancer has not spread to the deeper layers of skin and is only present in the upper layer. Then the stages progress in the following order:

• Stage 1: The tumor is smaller than one inch wide.
• Stage 2: The tumor is larger than one inch wide.
• Stage 3: Cancer has spread into facial bones and to one lymph node.
• Stage 4: Cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes and might have spread to bones and organs.

Mohs Surgery For Basal Cell Removal

With Mohs surgery, a dermatologist removes cancer one layer at a time. They examine each layer under a microscope until they no longer detect abnormal cells. This helps to preserve healthy skin and makes for the smallest scar possible.

Surgical Excision For Basal Cell Removal

Another option for Basal cell removal is surgical excision. This is where a dermatologist cuts out cancer, plus some of the healthy surrounding skin. They then check the healthy skin under a microscope to make sure the cancer cells are gone.

Should I See a Dermatologist?

It’s essential to see your dermatologist if you have a skin lesion that’s changing or meets any of the descriptions above. Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly, and people who get diagnosed early have a good chance of survival. We recommend an annual skin checkup with your dermatologist. That way, they can assess your risk for skin cancer and provide early detection and treatment if something is amiss.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Basal cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that millions of people get each year from sun exposure. It varies in appearance from pink to brown, depending on the person’s skin color. It can also look like a scar, sore, bump, or red spot. It can bleed, ooze, and crust over. Sometimes it’s itchy. Although it can spread, it’s rare, and your outlook is good if you get diagnosed early.

These summer months have been having increased heat, intensity and longer heat waves. If you are someone who loves being out in the sun, make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF. It is important to reduce sun exposure where possible to limit your risk for skin cancer and other dangerous skin growths.

It would be beneficial to have an annual examination by a board-certified dermatologist and if you are someone who is always outside, laying out in the sun, then a skin check will be even more critical. In addition to being seen by a licensed professional, between your doctors visits, you should check your skin. You can do so by inspecting your body and face for any new growths, skin patches that have changed in shape or color or texture.

Look out for moles that have changed or new ones that have formed. Spots or sores that bleed or itch are especially worrisome. If your dermatologist screens your mole and finds it to be worrisome or have warning signs of evolving, a biopsy will be taken. We perform shave biopsy or punch biopsy, depending on the type of mole being analyzed for cancer cells. Also, we offer various removal methods for unwanted moles such as surgical excision, cryosurgery and electrodessication and curettage.

If you notice any of those changes to your skin or new growths, contact Skin and Cancer Institute immediately to be seen by a dermatologic surgeon. After a thorough examination and evaluation, a diagnosis will be made and recommendations will be given to you in terms of preventing skin cancer as well as a treatment plan if there is a positive diagnosis for a tumor or pre-cancerous skin lesion.

Due to the various forms of skin growths and the consideration that some may be non-deadly but can evolve into something quite dangerous should re-enforce the notion that there is no substitute for being seen by a professional. When it comes to the development of skin cancer, time is of the essence as the tumor can spread. Therefore, timely detection, diagnosis and treatment is critical. Contact our office to schedule your consultation or your regular skin examination to protect against skin cancer.

Pre-cancerous skin lesions are caused by frequent exposure to UV light. This can be from direct sunlight or the use of tanning beds. A skin lesion that itches, bleeds, grows, burns or is raised or crusting can be worrisome and should be examined by a board-certified dermatologist.

It may be difficult to distinguish between cancerous spots and the non-cancerous spots. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of a pre-cancerous skin lesion that should be evaluated:

• pink, brown or red color variations of skin
• wart like bumps or surfaces
• flat or raised patches of skin or bumps
• dry, scaly or rough skin or patches of skin

Risk factors or people with a higher risk of developing actinic keratoses include individuals with red or blonde hair or light-colored eyes. Also, individuals with a history of sunburn or excess sun exposure may more susceptible to developing pre-cancerous skin lesions. Individuals who live in a sunny climate or work outdoor or are prone to freckling or burning may also have an increased risk of developing a pre-cancerous skin lesion.

You may be confronted with early warning signs of skin cancer and be completely unaware. You may even know someone who has been personally affected by skin cancer. You may have a loved one who is struggling with it presently. For all these reasons and more, it is essential to identify the leading causes of skin cancer to be aware and able to prevent it from developing.

Most Common Source of Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer is caused primarily by the UV rays of the sun. Excessive exposure to the sun without protection can cause skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer.

Not only do UV rays pose a significant risk of skin cancer, but they can be equally dangerous to the health of one’s eyes. Ultraviolet A and B rays can affect the eyes and such exposure can lead to cataracts and even eyelid cancer on the surrounding skin. This is why our dermatologic skin cancer surgeons and board-certified dermatologists urge our patients to limit their sun exposure and as a lifestyle choice. The less exposure the better.

Other Causes of Skin Cancer & Harmful Tumors

Tanning beds and their associated UV lights used are also equally harmful, despite the fact many choose to use tanning beds during the seasonal winter months. In addition, exposure to x-rays as well as scars and other toxic chemicals can also influence and cause skin cancer to develop. Moles can become abnormal and also evolve into cancerous growths. We recommend routine skin examinations and mole screenings as well.

If you suspect you have skin cancer or any dangerous growths you are concerned about, be sure to make an appointment with a dermatologist at Skin and Cancer Institute for prompt medical attention and treatment.

Our team of dermatologic surgeons, nurses, and team are experienced to diagnose, treat and surgically remove any tumors, pre-cancerous skin lesions, dangerous or malignant moles, as well as any other unwanted or potentially worrisome growths on the skin. Various types of skin cancer can evolve or develop on different regions of the body and skin. Prior to the development of skin cancer, often times a malignant pre-cancerous lesion may be present. This is why seeing a board-certified dermatologist and skin can surgeon regularly can be beneficial in prevention and early detection.

If you notice your skin is prone to new growths, some of which change in size or shape, are elevated or raised, you should consider consulting with a dermatologist at LA Laser Center. We offer various techniques and removal recommendations depending on the type of cancer or lesion present, size, location and nature of the tumor or malignancy. For instance, for skin cancers or tumors present on the face, nose, forehead or cheeks, we would probably select the Mohs micrographic surgery technique for removal. If the tumor is present somewhere on the body and the risk for scarring is minimal, a different removal method may be selected. Call us for your consultation today.