| Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. It | | | | Sunlight is responsible for over 90 percent of all |
| can be destructive and disfiguring. | | | | skin cancers. The earth's ozone layer offers |
| Basal cell carcinoma is the most common | | | | protection from UV radiation by blocking it. |
| cutaneous malignancy in humans. These tumors | | | | Working primarily outdoors, living in an area that |
| typically look on sun-exposed skin, are slow | | | | gets a lot of high intensity sunlight. Skin type is |
| growing, and rarely metastasize. Basal cell cancer | | | | also contributed factors can increase this disease. |
| does not usually metastasize or travel in the | | | | People who have fair skin, light hair, and blue, |
| bloodstream; rather it infiltrates the surrounding | | | | green, or gray eyes are at highest risk. People |
| area destroying tissue. Over 250,000 new cases | | | | with weakened immune systems due to |
| per year estimated in the United States. Basal cell | | | | excessive unprotected sun exposure and |
| carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called | | | | chemotherapy are more likely to develop |
| the epidermis. It grows slowly and is painless. | | | | squamous cell carcinoma. The cause of the |
| Basal cell skin cancer used to be more common in | | | | syndrome is a mutation in the PTCH1 |
| people over age 40. | | | | tumor-suppressor gene at chromosome 9q22.3. |
| But is now often diagnosed in younger people. | | | | Which inhibits the hedgehog signaling pathway. |
| Basal cell cancer most often appears on | | | | Most basal cell carcinomas are removed by |
| sun-exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, | | | | surgery. A common method is "electrodessication |
| chest, back, and legs. These tumors can have | | | | and curettage". Sometimes use liquid nitrogen with |
| several different forms. The most common | | | | a special double freeze-thaw’ technique |
| appearance of basal cell cancer is that of a small | | | | for small superficial BCCs. Other treatments |
| dome-shaped bump that has a pearly white color. | | | | include radiation therapy, the application of topical |
| Blood vessels may be seen on the surface. Basal | | | | chemotherapy to the cancer site and Mohs' |
| cell cancer can also appear as a pimple-like growth | | | | micrographic surgery. Micrographic surgery - the |
| that heals, only to come back again and again. A | | | | cancer is cut from the skin, along with some of |
| less common form called morpheaform, looks like | | | | the healthy surrounding tissue. Protect your skin |
| a smooth white or yellowish waxy scar. There | | | | from the sun. Wear covering clothing and apply |
| are certain environmental and genetic factors can | | | | broad spectrum sunscreens to exposed skin daily |
| increase this disease. | | | | during the summer months. |