What does basal cell carcinoma mean?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a low-grade malignant tumor originating from the basal cells of the skin or skin appendages (such as hair follicles). It is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for the majority of all skin cancer cases. It is particularly common in older adults and affects more men than women. Basal cell carcinoma mostly occurs in areas frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the head, face, neck, and back of hands, and is closely related to long-term sun exposure, chronic radiation, immune abnormalities, genetic factors, and certain skin diseases or trauma history.

Basal cell carcinoma is relatively low in malignancy, progresses slowly, and generally does not undergo hematogenous metastasis or lymph node metastasis, so its prognosis is relatively good. Clinically, basal cell carcinoma can manifest in various appearance types, such as nodular-ulcerative type, pigmented type, scleroderma-like or sclerotic type, superficial type, and fibroepithelioma type. These lesions may appear as papules or small nodules with a smooth skin surface, which gradually increase in size over time, and may present symptoms such as edge involution, surface telangiectasia, central ulceration and scabbing.

There are many methods to treat basal cell carcinoma, including surgical resection, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and drug therapy. Among them, surgical resection is the preferred treatment method, especially for early-stage lesions. A high cure rate can be achieved through thorough surgical resection. Radiotherapy is suitable for cases where surgery is inoperable or the patient is unwilling to undergo surgery, and can also achieve better therapeutic results. Other methods such as cryotherapy and laser therapy are suitable for superficial and localized lesions.

Although basal cell carcinoma is less malignant and generally more effective with treatment, patients still need to pay attention to preventing recurrence. This includes avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, applying sunscreen and wearing a sun hat when going out, maintaining good living habits and immune function status, and conducting regular skin examinations. Through comprehensive treatment and preventive measures, the risk of recurrence of basal cell carcinoma can be minimized and the long-term health of patients can be protected.

(Click to view an introduction to drugs for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma)

Reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/zh-hans/diseases-conditions/basal-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20354187