Dermatological Surgery - Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the world’s most common skin cancer and is caused from exposure to damaging ultraviolet sunlight and tanning beds. They most commonly form on the head, neck, chest, back, arms, and legs.

Basal cell carcinomas are round, dome-shaped growths or flat scaling bumps that are often pink to red, pearly or translucent. They also often have rolled borders and visible superficial blood vessels, or appear as a sore that ulcerates, oozes, and bleeds. BCCs may seem to heal but inevitably will recur. They grow slowly and rarely metastasize but need immediate treatment, nonetheless, because BCCs can invade fat, muscle and bone deep under the skin and cause functional or cosmetic impairment. Treatment depends on the location, size and type of BCC, and clinical features.