Cancer Basics: Basal Cell Carcinoma – Causes, Types, & How It Affects You
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer that develops in the basal cells. These are the cells that line the deepest layer of your skin. BCC is the most common form of skin cancer, and it usually develops on areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun.
The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each type of skin cancer has a different prognosis and treatment plan.
Cancer Basics: Basal Cell Carcinoma – Causes, Types, & How It Affects You
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that can appear on areas that are frequently exposed to the sun. The majority of basal cell carcinomas are not life-threatening, but they still need to be treated.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed in the United States each year. Of those cases, about 80% are basal cell carcinomas. Most people with this type of cancer have no serious complications from it. However, if left untreated, basal cell carcinoma can grow and damage surrounding tissue.
Basal cell carcinoma is most common in areas that receive a lot of sun exposure over time such as the head and neck area. The risk goes up if there’s a history of sunburn or tanning bed use and if you have fair skin, light eyes and hair color, or burn easily when out in the sun. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends checking your skin regularly for new spots or changes in existing spots and wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day on all exposed parts of your body.
What Is Basal Cell Car
What Is Basal Cell Carcinoma? Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells, which are located at the bottom layer of the epidermis. The epidermis is the top layer of skin. Although this type of cancer can be serious, it rarely spreads to other parts of the body. In fact, only around 1 percent of people with basal cell carcinoma develop metastatic disease. However, if left untreated, basal cell carcinoma can cause significant damage to nearby tissue and potentially result in other health complications.
Common Types Of Basal Cell Carcinoma
1. Nodular BC: This is the most common type of BCC and it looks like a smooth nodule on the skin surface. It may also be pink or white in color and flat rather than raised.
2. Superficial BC: This type of BCC resembles a red-colored patch with well-defined borders. The patch may itch but typically does not hurt like other forms of BCC can.
3. Pigmented BC: This type appears as a brown or black spot on the skin that is often mistaken for a mole or freckle because it is usually small in size and flat against the rest of your skin.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, and the majority of people who get a basal cell carcinoma are over 50. However, basal cell carcinoma can affect younger adults. This type of skin cancer is usually caused by having fair skin, a history of sun exposure or because you have used a tanning bed. It can also be hereditary. There are several different types of basal cell carcinoma, but the most common type is nodular basal cell carcinoma.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: What to Watch For
If you notice a spot on your skin that seems to change in texture or size, it’s important to have it examined by a doctor right away. Although basal cell carcinomas look similar to many harmless growths, they are difficult to differentiate from other types of skin cancer, like melanoma. A biopsy may be necessary to determine if it’s a basal cell carcinoma or some other type of skin cancer.
Types of Basal Cell Carcinoma
– Superficial BCC: This type is typically flat and scaly with borders that may appear reddened and irritated; sometimes they look like shiny pink patches on the surface of the skin. This is one of the more common types.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It’s also the most treatable form of skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinomas develop in the deepest layer of the epidermis (the top layer of skin), which is filled with basal cells. These cells are constantly dividing and pushing new, healthy cells to the surface.
Often, basal cell carcinomas appear as a small bump on the face, ears or neck – areas that receive a lot of sun exposure. They are slow-growing, but can become disfiguring if left untreated.
Types of basal cell carcinoma
There are several different types of basal cell carcinoma:
Nodular: This is the most common type of basal cell carcinoma. It appears as a red or pink lump or bump on your skin.
Superficial: This type looks like a red patch, which might be scaly or crusty on top.
Morpheaform: Morpheaform BCC can look like scars or sores that don’t heal. The border may be difficult to find because it blends into the normal surrounding skin.
Sclerosing: This type can be hard to recognize as basal cell carcinoma because it looks like a thick
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as basal cell cancer, is the most common type of skin cancer. At least one million Americans are diagnosed with this condition each year.
Causes:
Basal cell carcinoma occurs when the basal cells in the outer layer of your skin begin to grow in an uncontrolled way. The main cause is exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. Other possible causes include radiation therapy, severe burns and long-term exposure to arsenic.
Risk factors:
Risk factors for developing BCC include fair skin color, light hair and eye color, a history of heavy sun exposure (especially during childhood or adolescence), frequent or intense sunburns, family history of skin cancer, previous skin cancers and multiple moles. People with darker skin types can still develop BCC; however, it’s more common in people with fair skin.
Types:
BCC can look different depending on where it appears on your body. Here are three common types:
Nodular BCC: This is the most common type of BCC It looks like a pink, shiny bump that may be tender to touch.
Superficial BCC: This type looks like a red scaly patch on the surface of your skin that ble
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It is also one of the most curable forms of skin cancer, especially if caught early. While it can be disfiguring, it rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
There are several types of basal cell carcinomas. The most common is “nodular”. This type looks like a flesh-colored or pink bump. During the course of its development, it may also bleed or develop a crusty surface. Another common type is “superficial.” It appears as a pink patch and can grow rapidly over time. A third type, called “micronodular,” looks like small bumps that are usually pale and skin-colored.
Most people who get basal cell carcinoma have spent lots of time in the sun or used tanning beds over their lifetime. In fact, about eighty percent (80%) of people with this condition have had exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from sunlight or tanning beds for many years.
Other risk factors include:
Fair skinPeople with fair skin freckle easily and burn before they tan
Light hair and eye colorPeople with light hair and eye color are more likely to freckle easily and burn before