Basal Cell Cancer

Basal cell cancer, or basal cell carcinoma, are slow-growing skin tumours, which most oftenly appear on sun-exposed skin. There are various forms of basal cell carcinoma. Some manifest themselves as elevated lumps in the skin with a shiny surface that often times develop a small sore in the middle( photos 8, 9, 11, 12, 13,14,15,16).
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
These are called nodular basal cell carcinomas and are most commonly found in the head and neck area. Patients typically notice that they have a sore that just won’t heal( photos 17, 18).
 
 
 
Other basal cell carcinomas appear as thin, brownish red patches of skin that often appear on the trunk, arms or legs ( photos 10, 19).
 
 
 
These are superficial basal cell carcinomas and can easily be mistaken for dry skin patches, eczema or psoriasis, for example. However, they do not respond to moisturizing creams or topical steroids.

Basal cell carcinomas, which originate in the lowest layer of the epidermis, often grow for years without causing any discomfort. These tumours generally don’t form metastases, but if left untreated, basal cell carcinomas can grow destroying nearby or underlying structures. Treatment is recommended and can consist of surgery or other locally destructive therapies.