CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
How can i treat basal cell carcinoma?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Morris Westfriedanswered
Dermatology 47 years experience
Varies: Most basal cell are treated surgically by curettage, excision or mohs surgery. For superficial basal cells in very sick elderly topical medications can be used. In very difficult location radiation is use on occasion. For people with multiple basal cells or who can tolerate surgery there is a new fda approved medication which is very expensive.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Mike Bowmananswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 20 years experience
Surgical removal: Basal cells are generally removed by surgical excision. This usually can be accomplished in the office or outpatient surgery setting.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Todd Sistoanswered
Plastic Surgery 38 years experience
Sev ways: Best choice is surgery. If on the face ears or hands, should be reconstructed by an asps plastic surgeon. A flap or graft may be needed to reconstruct. Radiation is also possible. There's a new chemotherapy in a pill for basal cell. In some cases, palliative electrodessication is used.
6k viewsReviewed >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 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
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 20 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.
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 44 years experience
Basal cell: Years of sun damage or exposure to radiation treatment or arsenic.
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 19 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.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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
Last updated Feb 21, 2020
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