Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing form of skin cancer.
See also:
Squamous cell skin cancer Melanoma
Alternative Names
Rodent ulcer; Skin cancer - basal cell; Cancer - skin - basal cell
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Skin cancer is divided into two major groups: nonmelanoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 75% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.
Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. It grows slowly and is painless. A new skin growth that bleeds easily or does not heal well may suggest basal cell carcinoma. The majority of these cancers occur on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. They may also appear on the scalp. Basal cell skin cancer used to be more common in people over age 40, but is now often diagnosed in younger people.
Your risk for basal cell skin cancer is higher if you have:
- Light-colored skin
- Blue or green eyes
- Blond or red hair
- Overexposure to
x-rays or other forms of radiation
Basal cell skin cancer almost never spreads. But, if left untreated, it may grow into surrounding areas and nearby tissues and bone.
Images
Review Date: 02/05/2008
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic
Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare
Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
