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1 Melanoma | 2 Moles | 3 Seborrhoeic keratoses | 4 Dermatofibroma | 5 Haemangioma | 6 Sunspots | 7 BCC | 8 SCC

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

What is a BCC?

BCC is the commonest cancer known to humans. They are formed from excessive sun exposure and are found on most skin sites exposed to the sun. They are usually pale to pink-red, flat or raised spots, that are usually less scaly than sunspots or squamous cell carcinoma. Less than 1 in 10 have some brown to blue colour within them. They can grow relatively quickly (obvious changes are usually seen within 12 months) but sometimes are slow growing. They may bleed after minor irritation. Later they may "break down" forming ulcers. While they virtually never spread to other organs of the body via the bloodstream (ie. they do not metastasise), they can cause massive destruction at their local site if ignored.

How are BCCs treated?

There are many different treatments for BCC. The commonest remains surgical excision (ie. cutting the tumour out). Other treatments include cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen freezing), laser therapy, curettage and cautery, Aldara (imiquimod) cream, photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on the characteristics of the tumour, its site on the skin and the age of the patient.

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