Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is more than the most common form of skin cancer — it’s also the most common of all cancers, but it rarely turns deadly. Gangaram Ragi, MD, at Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC, specializes in treating BCC, using advanced techniques like Mohs Surgery that eliminate all the cancer while saving the surrounding healthy tissues. If you notice a new pearly bump, skin sore, or other signs of BCC, call the office in Saddle River, New Jersey, or use online booking to schedule a skin cancer evaluation without delay.

What should I know about basal cell carcinoma?

Like all skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma or BCC primarily develops from exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight and tanning beds. UV radiation damages the DNA in basal cells (in the upper layer of skin), making them grow into a tumor.

BCC rarely spreads to other body areas. It’s also a slow-growing cancer that causes little damage when treated at an early stage.

However, without treatment, basal cell carcinoma grows into the surrounding skin and goes deep below the surface, potentially injuring nerves and blood vessels and disfiguring the area.

How can I recognize basal cell carcinoma?

The signs of basal cell carcinoma usually appear on your head, face, and neck because they’re the areas most frequently exposed to UV light.

BCC takes on several appearances. You may notice any of the following skin lesions:

Pearly, shiny bump

Pearly or shiny growths appear in different colors, including flesh, pink, and white. In people of color, the bump is tan, brown, or black and may look more like a mole.

Pink growth

This small growth is usually indented in the center, and you may be able to see tiny blood vessels in the lesion.

Open sore

BCC may cause a small sore that bleeds or oozes and then crusts over. After healing, the sore often reappears.

Red, scaly patch

You may develop a scaly patch of skin that may (or may not) be itchy or painful.

How is basal cell carcinoma treated?

After completing a biopsy to verify your skin lesion is basal cell carcinoma, your Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC, provider recommends treatment based on variables like the subtype of BCC and the lesion’s size, depth, and location.

If your BCC is at the surface, your provider may treat it with cryosurgery (freezing) or topical medications. But most BCC lesions are treated with surgery to completely remove the cancer.

Standard excisional surgery removes the visible cancer along with some of the tissues surrounding the lesion. Your provider most often performs Mohs surgery because it’s the gold standard for treating high-risk BCC.

Mohs is preferred because it has a very high cure rate and preserves more of the healthy tissues. Sparing the tissues is especially important for BCCs that spread deep under the skin’s surface.

If you notice any new skin lesions that may be basal cell carcinoma, request an appointment online or call Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC, right away.