How serious is nodular basal cell carcinoma?
How dangerous is BCC? While BCCs rarely spread beyond the original tumor site, if allowed to grow, these lesions can be disfiguring and dangerous. Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin and destroy skin, tissue and bone.
What does nodular basal cell carcinoma look like?
Nodular BCC looks like a dome-shaped bump. It may be pearly or shiny. Typical colors are pink, red, brown, or black. You may see tiny blood vessels in the lesion.
Is basal cell carcinoma a nodule?
Nodular basal cell carcinoma is clinically manifested as a translucent nodule, often with telangiectatic vessels being very evident. As the nodule expands beyond 1 cm the center can begin to break down causing an ulcer surrounded by a rolled edge. The alternative name for this is “rodent ulcer”.
Is nodular basal cell carcinoma aggressive?
Nodular and superficial BCC are the most common, have less aggressive growth patterns, and have a lower risk of recurrence. The other subtypes are less common, have more aggressive growth patterns, and have a higher risk of recurrence.
How fast does nodular basal cell carcinoma grow?
The tumors enlarge very slowly, sometimes so slowly that they go unnoticed as new growths. However, the growth rate varies greatly from tumor to tumor, with some growing as much as ½ inch (about 1 centimeter) in a year. Basal cell carcinomas rarely spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
How do you know if basal cell carcinoma is advanced?
Here’s what it may look like:
- A bloody or oozing sore that doesn’t go away.
- A rough patch of skin, usually in a sun-exposed area.
- A reddish area that may hurt or itch.
- A shiny bump that’s clear, reddish, or white.
- A flat white, yellow, or “waxy” area that looks like a scar.
How dangerous is basal cell carcinoma?
Unlike squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell cancer is rarely deadly and remains confined to a particular area. Based on several studies, the basal cell carcinoma survival rate is 100% for cases that have not spread to nearby sites.
What causes basal cell carcinoma?
UV exposure. Almost all BCCs occur on parts of the body excessively exposed to the sun.
Can basal cell carcinoma kill you?
Basal Cell Carcinoma ’s are generally harmless skin cancers and do not spread anywhere else or kill people. They can grow to a big size locally, and even destroy bone if left untreated. Therefore treatment of the cancer (with either creams/ PDT or surgery, as appropriate) is recommended.
How serious is basal cell skin cancer?
Treatment of basal cell carcinoma is nearly always successful, and the cancer is rarely fatal. However, almost 25% of people with a history of basal cell carcinoma develop a new basal cell cancer within 5 years of the first one. Thus, anyone with one basal cell carcinoma should have a yearly skin examination.