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Skin cancer is a disease that causes many victims, in addition to being the most common type of cancer in Brazil. For those who do not know, this disease has several types, basal cell carcinoma being one of the most common and also lethal. But what are the symptoms? What causes basal cell carcinoma? How to do the treatments? If you want to know more about the subject, read the text to the end and find out more about this very common type of skin cancer.
What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in the world, being much more common in men than in women. It is a type of cancer that affects the basal cells, that is, in a deeper layer of the epidermis. It is worth remembering that the epidermis is an upper layer of the skin, which means that basal cell carcinoma does not reach the deepest layers and is not the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
It is a disease that has low lethality, especially when detected early. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry and be on guard against it, of course. And for that, nothing better than to know better what are the types of basal cell carcinoma that exist.
Types of Basal Cell Carcinoma
As we said earlier, basal cell carcinoma can be divided into some types. Some of the most common are:
- Carcinoma Basocelular Nodular
- Carcinoma Basocelular Superficial
- Infiltrative Basocelular Carcinoma
- Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma
We will explain more in depth about each of them, exposing their differences and the ways they are manifested.
Carcinoma Basocelular Nodular
Nodular basal cell carcinoma, as its name suggests, is characterized by the appearance of a nodule, usually red, smooth and painless. Also known as nodular-ulcerated, it usually has small blood vessels on its surface and can bleed easily. Another characteristic of it is that these small wounds that are born can take a long time to heal. It is a type of malignant tumor that takes time to grow and may take up to 2 years to reach half a centimeter in diameter. Still, it is important that it is treated so that the disease does not progress and does not cause any serious consequences.
Carcinoma Basocelular Superficial
Superficial basal cell carcinoma is a less aggressive variation of this disease and has characteristics very similar to others, such as a reddish or pink spot that can bleed easily and take time to heal.
Infiltrative Basocelular Carcinoma
This variation of this type of skin cancer is more aggressive than the others we mentioned earlier. In this case, cancer cells infiltrate the skin’s collagen, which can make removal more complicated and require different treatments.
Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma
It is a variation of nodular basal cell carcinoma, but it has black or brown nodules, which makes it more like a melanoma , a more aggressive type of skin cancer. However, some characteristics such as raised edges help to make this differentiation.
What are the Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is usually characterized by spots that have the appearance of small scars and that can vary in color , depending on the type. These spots usually appear in places on the body that are more exposed to the sun such as the face, hands, neck and ears. Another characteristic of basal cell carcinoma is that it grows slowly at the same time that your wounds have a very long healing process.
How is the Diagnosis done?
The diagnosis of the disease is made through a biopsy , where the doctor removes a small piece of the tumor for analysis. From this examination, he will be able to indicate what type of basal cell carcinoma is, in addition to also indicating which is the best treatment for each case.
It is important to note that the earlier a doctor is sought, the greater the chances of a cure and of not having any serious sequelae due to the disease. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye out for signs and be up to date with your exams so as not to be caught by surprise.
What are the Treatments?
A basal cell carcinoma can be treated in different ways, always depending on the type and stage of the tumor. Let’s talk about the main ones, which are:
- Micrographic Surgery: This is one of the most common ways of removing tumors and one of the ones with the highest success rate. In addition to removing the tumor, this surgery also removes another part of the skin, the so-called “safety layer”, to avoid any residue.
- Curettage: Also known as “scraping”, this form of treatment is one of the simplest and is very effective in smaller tumors, usually in the initial stage.
- Laser: The use of lasers for the treatment of this type of tumor has become increasingly common as it is a very precise and efficient technique in different stages of the disease.
- Creams and ointments: In some cases, a doctor may prescribe the use of creams and ointments for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. This type of painless treatment has been shown to be quite effective, especially in early cases.
- Radiotherapy: It is a more intensive treatment, used mainly in older patients and who have more intense injuries. The major disadvantage in this case is that, if the tumor is recurrent, radiotherapy may not be as effective.
- Chemotherapy: Like radiation therapy, it is a type of treatment used in more severe cases. Also as in the previous example, it can be less effective when it comes to a recurrent tumor.
Can Basal Cell Carcinoma leave Sequelae?
First of all, it is worth mentioning that basal cell carcinoma is the least lethal type of skin cancer worldwide, but that does not mean that you are free from the dangers that it can cause. The main problem that patients face is aesthetics , since parts of their body may be compromised due to the treatment.
Depending on the location affected , it can cause problems. If the tumor is close to the eye region, for example, the patient’s vision may be compromised if the treatment is not done correctly.
In addition, several factors such as the diameter of the lesion, the severity and the type of basal cell carcinoma can influence the tumor to reappear in your body. And although more rare, cases of death from basal cell carcinoma occur.
Understanding better about different types of diseases is always important for you to understand how to prevent and fight them in the best possible way, especially when it comes to a disease such as basal cell carcinoma, which is relatively common in Brazil. Although this is not the type of cancer with the hardest and longest treatment, it is still necessary to pay special attention, after all, we are talking about a disease that can be lethal. As we said earlier, the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the easier the treatment will be. Therefore, understanding the causes and symptoms of basal cell carcinoma is also important for prevention. And this is, without a doubt, the best thing to do.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
