Clinical Overview
Clinical Overview
Embedded Files
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common types of skin cancers and affects almost 1 in 5 Americans (Puckett & Steele, 2024). BCC occurs when there is an uncontrolled and/or abnormal growth of basal cell. BCC grows slowly and has a less than 1% rate of spreading to other parts so it is highly curable. However, if left untreated, it can become locally invasive and cause damage to surrounding skin, tissue, and bones (The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2019).
Basal cell carcinoma can appear as a dark raised lesion on the face.
Basal cell carcinoma shown on brown skin may appear as a brown or black bump with irregular borders.
Source: Mayo Clinic. (2025, April 12). Basal Cell Carcinoma - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/basal-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20354187
What exactly is a basal cell?
What exactly is a basal cell?
The skin is composed of three layers, the outermost layer (epidermis), the middle layer (dermis), and the deepest layer (hypodermis). Basal cells are found deep in the epidermis and work to divide and create new skin cells by pushing older cells toward the surface which then sheds off as dead skin (Mayo Clinic, 2025). BCC typically occurs when DNA is damaged due to exposure from ultraviolet radaitions from both natural sources like the sun and artifical sources like tanning beds. The radiation from these sources directly hit the epidermis which causes changes in the basal cells and result in uncontrolled growth.
Basal cell carcinoma originates from the basal later of the epidermis
BCC develops from basal cells located in the epidermis and is the most common form of skin cancer.
Source: Types of Skin Cancer | Different Types & Treatments | Columbia Skin. Columbia Skin Clinic. https://columbiaskinclinic.com/skin-cancer/skin-cancer-types/
Types of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Types of Basal Cell Carcinoma
There are four main types of BCC
Nodular- most common type of BCC and look like round pimples with visible blood vessels surrounding it
Superficial spreading- causes lesions that typically form on trunk, arms, and legs. Appear as small shallow marks on the skin and are lighter in color than surrounding skin.
Sclerosing- most common on the face. May look like a small red dot on the skin, or scars that slowly expand over time.
Pigmented- rare type of BCC that causes hyperpigmentation.
(Cleveland Clinic, 2022)
Who does it affect?
Who does it affect?
Basal cell carcinoma can affect anyone but is more commonly found in people older than 50 (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). People with fair skin and light eyes are more at risk for BCC. Additionally, people who have BCC once are at a higher risk for developing nonmelanoma skin cancer again. While most BCC are caused by environmental factors like UVR exposure, around 10% of cases are linked to a family history. This is because while the disease itself is not always inherited, genetic traits such as fair skin can cause a person to become more susceptible to BCC (Mayo Clinic, 2025).
Diagnosis and Testing
Diagnosis and Testing
Basal cell carcinoma can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider during a physical exam. Common testing for BCC include skin biopsy and imaging tests.
Prognosis
Prognosis
The prognosis for BCC is excellent due to it's slow growing nature, allowing it to be highly curable and rarely deadly. When detected and treated early, the 5-year survival rate for BCC is virturally 100% (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
Treatment
Treatment
BCC is treated by removing the cancer from the body. This can be in many different ways including electrodessication and curettage, surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, and laser therapy. The treatment option depends on various factors such as overall health, age, location of the cancer, and the size of the BCC. After surgery there is a low chance that BCC will return. However, if new lesions around the scar of the surgery site then you must immediately visit a healthcare provider.
While BCC is highly curable, if left untreated it will slowly grow and invade deeper tissues like muscle, bone, and cartilage. The BCC can become ulcertaed which can lead to bleeding and infection. In extremely rare cases untreated BCC can spread to other parts of the body and cause life threatening side effects.
Before and after of Mohs surgery to removal high risk basal cell carcinoma.
A series of pictures showing Mohs surgery procedure to remove basal cell carcinoma on the temple. Images show the wound immediately after tumor removal, suture closure, healing incision, and the final healed scar.
Source: Mohs Surgery | Saguaro Dermatology | Phoenix, AZ. (2024, December 2). Saguaro Dermatology. https://saguaroderm.com/services/medical-dermatology/mohs-surgery/
Prevention
Prevention
Some steps you can take to help protect yourself against BCC are:
avoiding sun exposure from 10am to 4 pm
avoid tanning beds
apply sunscreen SPF30 or higher everyday and reapply every two hours
wear clothing that have built in sun protection
wear broad brimmed hats and sunglasses
perform skin self exams once a month and check for unusual lumps, growths, or lesions
(Cleveland Clinic, 2022)
Next up!
Next up!
Although ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary environmental risk factor for basal cell carcinoma, the disease develops because of specific genetic and molecular changes within skin cells.
The next section wi ltlh go into the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway, the key genes involved in basal cell carcinoma development, and how these discoveries have led to targeted therapies.
The website will end with broader impacts and future directions for BCC.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse