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A very treatable and common skin cancer impacting the lowest layer of your skin.
What is it?
Basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent type of skin cancer, generally resulting from extended exposure to the sun or tanning beds. It originates in the basal cells, located at the lowest layer of the skin. Basal cell carcinoma usually presents as a slow-growing, painless lesion on sun-exposed regions such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders or back.
Although typically non-aggressive and slow in growth, basal cell carcinoma could lead to significant local damage and disfigurement if not addressed timely. Since it seldom spreads, or metastasizes, to other body parts, its adverse effect mainly relates to quality of life rather than lifespan.
How is it treated?
Early identification through regular skin screenings can assist in detecting basal cell carcinoma in its early stages, minimizing disfigurement to treated skin. Our experienced team at Dermatologists of Southwest Ohio may utilize various techniques to diagnose basal cell carcinoma, including clinical examination, dermoscopy and skin biopsy. If a skin biopsy is required, your provider will take a small sample of the lesion to send to our lab for further diagnosis under a microscope.
Treatment varies based on factors such as the size, location and subtype of your basal cell carcinoma. Options range from surgical interventions, topical treatments, radiation or even oral medications to eradicate cancer cells. Treatment of basal cell carcinoma is typically very effective. Remember, while not inherently dangerous, early detection of basal cell carcinoma is still important to reduce disfiguration of your impacted tissue. Visit one of our board-certified dermatologists in Batavia, Beavercreek, Bridgetown, Cincinnati, Dayton, Dent, Greenville, Hillsboro, Kettering, Mason, Montgomery, Oxford, Troy, West Chester and Wilmington, Ohio to have your skin examined on a yearly basis.