Basal Skin Cancer
Basal skin cancer is a skin cancer that forms in basal cells - a small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of the skin. This is believed to be the most common skin cancer yet least aggressive because it rarely spreads. Usually occurs on areas of the skin that have been in the sun. The tumors are developed due to inability of the basal cells to mature into keratinocytes, with mitotic division beyond the basal layer. This results in a large mass of cells or neoplasm that grows and destroys other surrounding tissues.
Basal cell cancers tend to recur. Tumors greater than 2 cm in diameter have a high recurrence rate. Even though they rarely metastasize, untreated basal cell cancers invade surrounding tissue and may destroy body parts, such as eyelid or nose.
Basal cell cancer is classified into different types : nodular superficial, pigmented, morpheaform, and keratotic.
Nodular basal cell cancer, is the most common type of BCC, it comprises 60% of all BCCs. Most often appears on the face, neck and head. The tumor is made of masses of cell that resembles epidermal basal cells and grows in bulky, nodular form. As the tumor grows and increases in size, the epidermis thins, but remains intact and the center or periphery may ulcerate and easily bleeds from mild injury.
The manifestation of this type of BCC is a small, firm papule or bumps, pearly, white, pink or flesh in color, enlarges and ulceration may occur.
Superficial basal cell cancer, is found most often on the trunk and extremities, it is also the second most common type of BCC, comprising 15% of all basal cell cancers. This tumor is a proliferating tissue that attaches to the undersurface of the epithelium. It starts off in the epidermis or in the lining of hair follicles, and grows down into the dermis. The manifestation of this type of BCC is a flat papule or plaque, often scaling, pink in color, with well-defined borders, and may have shallow erosions and surface crusting.
Pigmented basal cell cancer is found on the head, neck and face, and is less common. This tumor concentrates melanin pigment in the center of the basal cancer cells. This type behaves like nodular BCC and can easily confused with melanomas. The manifestation of this cancer is dark brown, blue or black in color, the border is shiny and well defined.
Morpheaform basal cell cancer, the rarest form of BCC, usually develops on the head and neck. The tumor forms fingerlike projections that extend in any direction along the dermal tissue planes. And more likely to destroy adjacent tissues. The manifestation is a flat ivory or flesh colored scar. This type is more difficult to diagnose because of its appearance.
Keratotic basal cell cancer is found usually on the ear. Its appearance is much like the nodular basal cell cancer, a small, firm papule, pearly, white, pink, or flesh in color and may ulcerate. This type of BCC tends to recur locally and also is the type most likely to metastasize.
By: Sydney
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