Zyclara
Aldara
Efudex
Carac
Fluorouracil
Fluoroplex
Tolak
Imiquimod
ErivedgeAmericans have been urged to take precautions to protect against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and skin cancer during the hotter months of the year. In a statement issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, highlighted the dangers and prevalence of skin...
Read More... Jun 15, 2018Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. It begins in the basal cells, a type of cell that produces new skin cells as old ones die off. Basal cell carcinoma occurs mostly in areas of the skin which are exposed to the sun, such as face and neck.
Basal cell carcinoma appears as a change in the skin that won’t heal, such as a sore, or growth. These lesions usually have the following characteristics:
-A pearly white, skin-coloured or pink bump that is translucent, which means you can see through the surface. Tiny blood vessels may be visible. In darker skin, the lesion will still be somewhat see-through but darker. These lesions may burst, bleed and scab over.
-A brown, black or blue lesion. It may have dark spots, with a slightly raised, translucent border.
-A flat scaly, reddish patch with a raised edge. These lesions are more common on the chest or back. They can grow to become quite large.
-A white, waxy, scar-like lesion without a clearly defines border is called a morpheaform basal cell carcinoma and is the least common.
Basal cell carcinoma is caused by a mutation in the DNA, it doesn’t instruct the old skin cells to die off as new ones are produced, and they continue to multiply.
The damage to the DNA of the basal cells is thought to result from ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight and commercial tanning lamps and beds. This may not always be the exact cause, especially in areas less often exposed to the sun such as the back or chest. In these cases, the cause may not be clear.
Treatment for basal cell carcinoma, will depend on the type, location and size of the cancer. It will also depend if it is the first time or a recurring basal cell carcinoma.
The goal of treatment is to remove the cancer completely, this could require surgery.
A surgical excision will cut away the cancerous lesion and surrounding tissue. The healthy tissue around the lesion is examined under a microscope to ensure that are no cancerous cells.
Mohs surgery is another option, your doctor will remove the cancer layer by layer, examining each layer until no abnormal cells remain. It ensures that all the cancer is removed yet avoids taking an excess of healthy skin from the surrounding area.
Topical creams may be considered for treating small, thin basal cell carcinoma when surgery isn’t an option. Freezing, photodynamic therapy, or radiation therapy are all further options.
Drugs Used To Treat Basal Cell Carcinoma:
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