Basal cell carcinoma

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Basal cell carcinoma

Alternative Names:

Rodent ulcer; Skin cancer - basal cell; Cancer - skin - basal cell
Treatment:

Treatment varies depending on the size, depth, and location of the cancer.

The carcinoma is removed using one of these procedures:

Scraping
Cauterization (burning)
Surgical removal, including microscopically controlled surgical removal (Mohs' surgery)
Cryosurgery (freezing)
Radiation

Expectations (prognosis):

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Early treatment by a dermatologist may result in a cure rate of more than 95%. New sites of basal cell cancer can occur, so monitoring should be diligent. Regular examination by a health care provider is required.

Complications:

A complication of basal cell cancer is an invasion of adjacent tissues or structures, causing damage to their appearance and function. This is most worrisome around the nose, eyes, and ears.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if any change occurs in the color, size, texture, or appearance of a skin lesion.

Call your provider if pain, inflammation, bleeding, or itching occur in an existing skin lesion.