Basal cell carcinoma
What is it?
Basal cell carcinoma (abbreviated to BCC) is a malignant skin tumour that occurs in the lowest layer of the epidermis and is caused by chronic sun damage.
How do you recognise it?
A rough, red patch, a shiny skin-coloured lump or a wound that does not heal appears on the skin.
How does it progress?
This is usually a slow-growing tumour that is not very aggressive. However, the tumour needs to be detected and treated because otherwise it can grow downwards and affect tissues beneath the skin.
How is basal cell carcinoma treated?
Depending on the tumour, basal cell carcinomas are treated using:
- Surgery (MOHS)
- Photodynamic therapy
- Immunomodulating ointments
- A medicine to be taken daily for inoperable or metastasised basal cell carcinomas