Basal Cell Carcinoma Definition
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer characterized by the presence of lumps that bleed easily and can get bigger every year. These lumps generally do not hurt and appear on areas of the body that are often exposed to sunlight.
If not treated properly, basal cell carcinoma can trigger complications such as the spread of cancer to other organs, such as bones and blood vessels.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms
This disease is characterized by the growth of the skin in the form of lumps containing blood vessels in it. The lump is painless, bleeds easily, and is pink, brown, or black.
Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma usually appear in areas of the body that are often exposed to the sun, such as the face, eyelids, neck, and hands. In rare cases, basal cell carcinoma can also occur in areas of the body that are not exposed to the sun, such as the breast.
The appearance of lumps may vary by person, including:
- Flat, scaly and reddish rash.
- Lesions are like scratch wounds, white in color, soft, without clear edges of the wound.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Risk Factors
Some risk factors for basal cell carcinoma include:
- Frequent and prolonged exposure to sunlight.
- Frequent outdoor activities and exposure to sunlight.
- Have undergone radiation therapy (radiotherapy).
- Over 50 years old.
- History of family members has had basal cell carcinoma.
- Using immunosuppressive drugs.
- Exposure to arsenic toxins.
- Have hereditary diseases that can trigger skin cancer, such as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Causes
The main cause of basal cell carcinoma is exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. UV rays damage DNA from the skin, which then causes skin cells to grow uncontrollably. Ultimately, the condition can lead to the formation of cancer cells.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis
To determine the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, the doctor will conduct a medical interview and a physical examination of the lumps that appear on the skin.
Supporting examinations such as biopsies (taking tissue samples) also need to be done to be examined in the laboratory. Examination of tissue samples can determine if there are cancer cells.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment
Treatment of basal cell carcinoma skin cancer is not only to treat cancer, but also to think about minimal scars later. Some types of treatment that can be done are:
- Tumor excision, i.e. Cutting skin cancer and its surroundings
- Curettage and electrodesication with electricity to kill other cancer cells
- Cryosurgery, which is the process of freezing cancer cells using nitrogen liquid with the aim of killing the cancer cells
- Radiation therapy, which uses X-Rat to kill cancer cells
- Mohs surgery, which removes the tumor from layer to layer and directly examines whether the cell is cancerous before going to the lower layer
- Medicines such as fluorouracil, imiquimod, and vismodegib.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Prevention
There are several ways that can be done to prevent the occurrence of Basal Cell Carcinoma.
Avoiding the risk factors
First, by avoiding the risk factors of Basal Cell Carcinoma.
Such as avoiding excessive sun exposure, wearing protective clothing such as long / closed hand clothes, glasses, hats, or using sunscreen when going outdoors.
Early examination
In addition, early examination also needs to be done.
Early examination can be done by looking for growing lumps, wounds that do not heal, or lesions that bleed easily.
Here are the steps to Check Your Own Skin:
- Check the front and the back of your body in front of the mirror, then to the right and left sides with your hands raised.
- Bend the elbows and look at the area of the arms, upper armpits, and palms.
- Next examination looks at the back and legs. In addition, see also on the between the toes and soles of the feet.
- Check the back of the neck, and scalp with the help of a hand mirror.
- Do not forget, to check the buttocks with the help of hand mirrors.
Learn more about How To Prevent Skin Cancer
