Puget Sound Surgical Center - Skin Cancer Basal Cell Carcinoma - Seattle Weight Loss Surgery and Bariatric Experts


	Skin Cancer Surgery Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer, with more than 800,000 new cases estimated in the US each year. Basal cells are cells that line the deepest layer of the epidermis. An abnormal growth – a tumor –of this layer is known as basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma can usually be diagnosed with a simple biopsy and is fairly easy to treat when detected early. However, 5 to 10 percent of BCCs can be resistant to treatment or locally aggressive, eating away at the skin around then, sometimes even into bone and cartilage. When not treated quickly, they can be difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, however, this is a cancer that has an extremely low rate of metastasis, and although it can result in scars and disfigurement, it is not usually life-threatening. Cause The sun is responsible for over 90 percent of all skin cancers, including BCC, and chronic overexposure to the sun is the cause for most cases of basal cell carcinoma. BCCs – the tumors themselves – occur most frequently on the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back. Treatment There is no one best method to treat all skin cancers and precancers. The choice is determined by many factors, including the location, type, size, whether it is a primary tumor or a recurrent one, and also health and preference of the patient. For example, a treatment that has a high cure rate and is painless but leaves a large scar might be acceptable for a tumor on the body, but not on the face. Most skin cancer removal can be done using a local anesthetic. Rarely, extensive tumors may require general anesthesia and hospital admission.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer, with more than 800,000 new cases estimated in the US each year. Basal cells are cells that line the deepest layer of the epidermis. An abnormal growth – a tumor –of this layer is known as basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma can usually be diagnosed with a simple biopsy and is fairly easy to treat when detected early. However, 5 to 10 percent of BCCs can be resistant to treatment or locally aggressive, eating away at the skin around then, sometimes even into bone and cartilage. When not treated quickly, they can be difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, however, this is a cancer that has an extremely low rate of metastasis, and although it can result in scars and disfigurement, it is not usually life-threatening.

Cause

The sun is responsible for over 90 percent of all skin cancers, including BCC, and chronic overexposure to the sun is the cause for most cases of basal cell carcinoma. BCCs – the tumors themselves – occur most frequently on the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back.

Treatment

There is no one best method to treat all skin cancers and precancers. The choice is determined by many factors, including the location, type, size, whether it is a primary tumor or a recurrent one, and also health and preference of the patient. For example, a treatment that has a high cure rate and is painless but leaves a large scar might be acceptable for a tumor on the body, but not on the face.

Most skin cancer removal can be done using a local anesthetic. Rarely, extensive tumors may require general anesthesia and hospital admission.

Skin Cancer Surgery