Of all the different forms of skin cancer, there are three types which occur most frequently: melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. In this post, we’re going to focus on the most common type of skin cancer–basal cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma accounts for about 90 percent of all cases of skin cancer. Luckily basal cell rarely kills or metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. Since the cancer commonly forms on the face and can grow and invade the surrounding tissue, it can cause disfigurement, nerve damage and loss of vision (if it grows near the eyes), among other problems.
a basal cell begins as a small, red bump that is frequently covered with superficial blood vessels that give a translucent look to it. These growths often take many months or years to grow to a noticeable size. Even though it can form on many parts of the body, it is most often found on the face, head and neck. The prognosis for patients is very good as basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal.
Like other skin cancers, it is often caused by sun exposure. As such, limiting sun exposure is the most effective measure at preventing this type of cancer. People who live in areas where the sun is stronger are at higher risk of developing basal cell carcinoma than those who live in areas where UV radiation is weaker. For instance, those who live in Florida are at higher risk than people who live in Maine.
There are a variety of methods available for treating basal cell carcinoma, including many types of surgery and radiation therapy. If you think you may have basal cell carcinoma, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist immediately.
If you need more serious help with skin issues or something else that is troubling your skin, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.
Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.
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