A 45-year-old member asked:
What are the tests for basal cell carcinoma?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Pressanswered
Plastic Surgery 46 years experience
Examination, biopsy: Many basal cell carcinomas can be diagnosed by history and appearance. If there is doubt, a simple in-office biopsy can give a definitive diagnosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed Dec 31, 2022
Dr. Annette Occhialinianswered
Plastic Surgery 38 years experience
Biopsy: The only test for basal cell cancer is a biopsy of the lesion. Doctors are looking for lesions that are red, ulcerated, slow to heal or irritated as a possible sign for basal cell carcinoma. There is no blood test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Otto Placikanswered
Surgery - Plastics 36 years experience
Pathology via biopsy: The best method is to have a biopsy performed to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 42-year-old member asked:
What exactly is basal cell carcinoma?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 46 years experience
Slow but must treat: These begin as little ulcers or nodules, often on the face and with easy-to-see vessels. They are best removed surgically; though they seldom spread to remote sites, they can destroy the face and invade the brain if they are ignored. Today's surgery leaves minimal scarring.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Thompson commented
Hematology and Oncology 22 years experience
Agree, but for locally advanced or metastatic BCC a new drug has recently been approved -- vismodegib (Erivedge, Genentech)
Jul 11, 2012
A 30-year-old member asked:
What are the symptoms of basal cell carcinoma?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bryan McIntoshanswered
Plastic Surgery 21 years experience
Raised skin lesion: Usually basal cell carcinoma presents as a relatively small, round, raised, pearly skin lesion. It can be smooth or have a small central depression. There may be a purplish or reddish color to the lesion. Usually it is isolated and single and quite slow to grow. There is rarely any pain or itching or any other sign that there is a problem. Of all skin cancers, basal cell is the least aggressive.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What causes basal cell carcinoma?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Peppercornanswered
Dermatology 45 years experience
Basal cell: Years of sun damage or exposure to radiation treatment or arsenic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
What is basal cell carcinoma and how is it treated?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jay Bradleyanswered
Cornea, Cataract, & Refractive (LASIK & PRK) Surgery 20 years experience
Basal cell carcinoma: This is a type of cancer which commonly occurs in the skin. It is treated with excisional biopsy in most cases. See your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
How is basal cell carcinoma diagnosed?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jay Bradleyanswered
Cornea, Cataract, & Refractive (LASIK & PRK) Surgery 20 years experience
Basal cell carcinoma: This type of tumor is diagnosed by clinical appearance and confirmed by excisional biopsy in most cases.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 31, 2022
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $19/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.