Skin cancer

Ulcerating nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma

The Most Common & least dangerous Skin Cancer

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It forms 75% of all skin cancers in Australia. In fact, it is the most common of all cancers. Statistics show that in in every 2 to 3 Australians will develop a skin cancer and is usually of this type. These cancers arise in the basal cells, which are at the bottom of the epidermis (outer skin layer).

Until recently, those most often affected were older people, particularly men who had worked outdoors. Although the number of new cases has increased sharply each year in the last few decades, the average age of onset of the disease has steadily decreased. We are now seeing individuals as young as 18 years old developing them but majority are over the age of 30. More women are getting BCCs than in the past; nonetheless, men still outnumber them greatly.


Pigmented nodular BCC

The Major Cause

Chronic exposure to sunlight is the cause of almost all basal cell carcinomas, which occur most frequently on exposed parts of the body -- the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back. Rarely, however, tumors develop on non-exposed areas. In a few cases, contact with arsenic, exposure to radiation, and complications of burns, scars, vaccinations, or even tattoos are contributing factors.


Who Gets It

Anyone with a history of frequent sun exposure can develop basal cell carcinoma. But people who have fair skin, light hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes are at highest risk. People who work long hours outdoors or who spend extensive leisure time in the sun are in particular jeopardy. Dark-skinned individuals are far less likely than fair-skinned to develop skin cancer. More than two-thirds of the skin cancers that they do develop, however, are squamous cell carcinomas, usually arising on the sites of preexisting inflammatory skin conditions or burn injuries.


Nodular BCC on the leg

What to Look For

BCC's can present in a few ways. Most commonly, it present as a pink slightly shiny patch (Superficial spreading type). Sometime it may look like a raised pink shiny papule which is occasionally pigmented or ulcerated (Nodular type).

There is a rarer third type that is quite difficult to detect looks like a scar (Morphoeic type). BCC's grow slowly over weeks or months and is locally invasive and aggressive. They do not usually spread to any other organs but rather spread sideways or inwards, thus sometimes called a rodent ulcer.

In addition, basal cell carcinoma sometimes resembles non-cancerous skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. Only a trained physician, usually a specialist in diseases of the skin, can decide for sure. A skin biopsy is usually taken to confirm the diagnosis before commencing treatment. Learn the signs of basal cell carcinoma, and examine your skin regularly -- as often as once a month if you are at high risk. Be sure to include the scalp, backs of ears, neck, and other hard-to-see areas. (A full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror can be very useful).

If you observe any of the warning signs or some other change in your skin, consult your physician immediately.


Large Superficial spreading BCC