What are the different types of basal cell skin cancers?
What are the different types of basal cell skin cancers?
As basal cell carcinomas grow the most common types develop the more characteristic nodularity, translucency, and telangiectasia. There are four main clinical variants of basal cell carcinoma. These are nodular, superficial spreading, sclerosing and pigmented basal cell carcinomas.
Which is worse basal cell or melanoma?
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes. While it is less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage.
Is squamous or basal cell carcinoma worse?
Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize). Treated early, the cure rate is over 90%, but metastases occur in 1%–5% of cases. After it has metastasized, it’s very difficult to treat.
How quickly does 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 they cut out basal cell carcinoma?
Treatment
- Surgical excision. In this procedure, your doctor cuts out the cancerous lesion and a surrounding margin of healthy skin.
- Mohs surgery. During Mohs surgery, your doctor removes the cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under the microscope until no abnormal cells remain.
What is the procedure to remove a basal cell carcinoma?
Curettage and electrodesiccation: This is a common treatment for small basal cell carcinomas. It might need to be repeated to help make sure all of the cancer has been removed. Excision: Excision (cutting the tumor out) is often used to remove basal cell carcinomas, along with a margin of normal skin.