Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It arises from the basal cells in the skin’s lower layer and is often found on sun-exposed areas like the face and neck. It can look like a small, sometimes shiny bump, a scaly patch, or an open sore.
BCC tends to grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. Risk factors and treatment options will be discussed in this article, so let us move forward.
Risk Factors Of Basal Cell Carcinoma
The main risk factors for basal cell carcinoma include lengthy sun exposure, fair skin, a family history of skin cancer and previous skin cancer. With older age risks might get increased so it is essential for regular check-ups. Here learn more:
- Sun Exposure
Exposure to UV rays, especially prolonged or intense sun exposure is a major risk factor for BCC. Tanning beds also increase the risk of skin cancer and using them frequently is a major lead to it. A history of sunburn especially in childhood can increase the risk.
- Skin Type
People with fair skin need to pay attention and avoid excessive sun exposure. Also, individuals with red hair are at higher risk.
- History Of Cancer
If you have a history of any type of skin cancer including BCC, increases the risk of developing BCC again. A family history of skin cancer especially BCC can increase the risk.
- Other Factors (Age, Injury and Smoking)
Factors like age, injury or smoking can lead to BCC. Older people are at high risk of getting BCC because its risk increases with age. Individuals who have a habit of smoking must focus on avoiding it because smoking is one of the risk factors for BCC.
Chronic inflammation or injury can increase the risk by promoting cell mutations and an environment favourable to tumour growth. Chronic inflammation can lead to DNA damage which can cause mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and tumour formation.
Certain treatment options are highly recommended for the treatment of BCC. Based on your skin cancer type and sage a professional will recommend your treatment option but for now, let us see the most effective treatment option for BCC.
BCC Treatment: Most Effective Ones
For basal cell carcinoma specialists recommend Mohs surgery. It is considered as gold standard, especially for high-risk or recurrent cases. There can be surgical treatments as well as topical ones depending on the severity and the area to be treated.
Surgical treatments include surgical excision, Mohs surgery, cryosurgery, skin graft or flap. Topical treatments include imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), tazarotene and zinc sulfate solution. Other treatment options may include radiation therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and hedgehog inhibitors.
Take a look at one of the most effective surgical procedures for BCC, Mohs surgery.
Mohs Surgery For BCC: What To Expect
Mohs surgery is a specialised skin cancer removal technique that involves the removal of tissue affected by a tumour. It involves removing the cancer layer by layer, with each layer analysed under a microscope to ensure complete removal and minimal healthy tissue removal, leading to a high cure rate and potentially smaller scars. Here is the procedure detail:
Before The Treatment
You will have a consultation with a Mohs expert to discuss the skin cancer and the procedure. They will also talk about the risks and benefits of the treatment. After consultation the area around the skin cancer will be numbed with a local anaesthetic, allowing you to be awake but comfortable during the surgery.
The expert performing the treatment will plan the procedure outline the area to be treated and prepare the necessary equipment and lab facilities.
During The Treatment
The Mohs expert will remove a thin layer of skin containing the cancer and a small margin of healthy tissue. The removed tissue will be sent to a lab where it will be examined under a microscope. The expert will examine the tissue to check for any remaining cells and if cancer cells are found the expert will remove another layer of skin from the area. The process will be repeated until no cancerous cells are detected.
Once the cancer is completely removed the wound may be left to heal naturally and closed with stitches or repaired with a skin graft or flap.
After The Treatment
The wound will be treated and the scarring will be minimal. Mohs procedure is known for its minimal scarring but some scarring is expected especially if the wound is larger.
You will need to attend follow-up appointments for BCC treatment so that experts can monitor the healing process and ensure that the cancer has been completely removed. Some lifestyle changes and healthy habits will be recommended for faster and better healing.
Akshay
Akshay Sharma is a social media marketing enthusiast and has written many topics in the related field. He loves to write and read about latest technology trends. He works with Mind Digital Group.
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