Melanoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
An Overview
Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common forms of skin cancer. It affects the basal cells, which are the cells responsible for producing new skin cells, as old ones are sloughed off. Most basal cell carcinomas are thought to be caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as from the sun. It usually appears as a change in the skin, such as lesions on the face, scalp and neck.
Risk Factors
Exposure to ultraviolet rays
Aged over 50 years
Fair-skinned
Male
Chronic infections and skin inflammationsSigns & Symptoms
The following are the symptoms to watch for in order to detect the disease early:
A pearly white or waxy bump, often with visible blood vessels on your face, ears or neck. The bump may bleed, develop a crust or form a depression in the center. In darker skinned people, this type of cancer is usually brown or black.
A flat, scaly, brown or flesh-colored patch on your back or chest. Over time, these patches can grow quite large.
In rare cases, a white, waxy scar. This type of basal cell carcinoma is easy to overlook, but it may be a sign of a particularly invasive and disfiguring cancer called morpheaform basal cell carcinoma.
