A 42-year-old member asked:
What exactly is basal cell carcinoma?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 45 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.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Michael Thompson commented
Hematology and Oncology 21 years experience
Agree, but for locally advanced or metastatic BCC a new drug has recently been approved -- vismodegib (Erivedge, Genentech)
Jul 11, 2012

Dr. M. Christine Leeanswered
Dermatology 29 years experience
Most common skin CA: Most common skin cancer caused usually by sun exposure with genetics also a factor especially skin type (more common in fair skin) and family history. More common on sun exposed areas of the body (ie: face, neck, scalp). Easily treated usually with surgery. Mohs micrographic surgery is the hold standard.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Ed Friedlander commented
Pathology 45 years experience
Gold standard. Unless of course you want a visible scar. This is the 21st century and you have a right to have these things treated before the cancer eats into your brain or destroys an eye Good luck.
Aug 30, 2012

Dr. Arlo Miller commented
Dermatology 16 years experience
MOHs surgery will give you 99% chance of cure and virtually guarantee it doesn't " eat into you brain or destroy an eye"
Mar 20, 2013
Similar questions
A 29-year-old member asked:
How dangerous is basal cell carcinoma?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Peter Sadowanswered
Pathology 18 years experience
Common: A very common skin cancer, basal cell carcinomas are generally indolent carcinomas that can be locally aggressive, so they need to come out, but they rarely metastasize. If you develop one, you're susceptible to others. So, make sure to keep on the sunscreen and discuss preventive measures with your dermatologist, along with regular skin checks.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
How to know what is basal cell carcinoma?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in

Dr. Brian Lawendaanswered
Radiation Oncology 25 years experience
A common skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer type. It is frequently slow growing. They rarely metastasize. Typically, they occur in areas of the skin that are exposed to sunlight. The cure rates are very high. Treatment is with either surgery or radiation therapy, although other techniques may also be employed. http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Can basal cell carcinoma be cured?
3 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in

Dr. Donald Shenenbergeranswered
Dermatology 26 years experience
Basal Cell Carcinoma: As close to 100% yes as one can be. Of all the skin cancers bcc's are the most common and the one to have if you really had to pick a skin cancer to have. While there are very rare instances of metastatic bcc they are just that, by far the exception. However, if left untreated bccs can be very distractive locally. That's about as good an answer i can provide in the space given.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Joseph Eastern commented
Dermatology 45 years experience
He meant "destructive", but I agree completely; BCC is probably the most curable form of cancer.
Mar 2, 2012

Dr. Donald Shenenberger commented
Dermatology 26 years experience
Provided original answer
Thank you, I blame autocorrect. I did mean "destructive".
Mar 3, 2012
A 36-year-old member asked:
What happens once you have basal cell carcinoma?
6 doctor answers • 18 doctors weighed in

Dr. David Yananswered
Plastic Surgery 21 years experience
Treatment: Basal cell carcinoma is a very common type of skin cancer. Once you have been diagnosed, the lesion is typically removed. This is commonly done by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. In some cases, medical treatments can be used if surgery is not a good option. These lesions rarely spread, but can be locally aggressive. Prognosis for these lesions is generally pretty good.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
LA
A 63-year-old member asked:
Is basal cell carcinoma serious?
5 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Kleinanswered
Family Medicine 22 years experience
Yes and no: Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer which is not malignant in the sense it will not spread to distant parts of the body and threaten life the way that other cancers can. It is still a cancer though and since it tends to affect the face it can grow into cosmetically sensitive areas and near nerves. It sometimes needs more complicated surgery to remove given the location on the face.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 3, 2016
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