Basal cell carcinoma is a form of cancer that develops in the basal layer of the skin. The disease is often the result of cumulative damage to the skin by the sun or other radiation, but its occurrence is also sometimes related to exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic, burns, scarring, or even vaccinations.

A slow-growing form of cancer, basal cell carcinoma is usually treatable with simple surgery. However, if the cancer has invaded surrounding tissues or metastasized to more distant parts of the body, a very rare occurrence for basal cell carcinoma, then treatment becomes much more complex and the prognosis is significantly worse.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in humans. Individuals with blue or green eyes, fair skin that tends to burn rather than tan, and blonde hair are among those that are most likely to acquire the disease. Men have traditionally been much more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma than women, but over the last few decades the risk for the female portion of the population has increased to such an extent that the gap in incidence between the sexes is beginning to shrink. This statistical change is usually attributed to women spending more time outdoors than ever before.

The most prevalent form of basal cell carcinoma is nodular. The cancerous nodules may exhibit a waxy, translucent, or pearly appearance, may feature a central depression or a raised border, and may periodically bleed and crust over. In addition to the typical nodules, basal cell carcinoma can also have the appearance of bluish-gray cystic lesions, pink to red papules or scaly patches, or increased brown or black pigment, especially in dark-skinned individuals. The borders of basal cell carcinomas may be either well- or poorly-defined depending on the specific type of the disease. In some instances, the cancer may be easy to confuse with scar tissue upon initial examination.

The primary means of lessening one’s risk of developing basal cell carcinoma is limiting exposure to sunlight. The most simple and effective means of avoiding too much sun are limiting outdoor activities to hours when the sun’s rays are less intense (generally before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.), wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a broad-rimmed hat whenever possible, and regularly applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15. If one is physically active outdoors, it is important to remember that sunscreen will need to be periodically reapplied, usually about once every one-and-a-half hours.

Basal Cell Carcinoma at 20x Magnification - If basal cell carcinoma is detected early, as it usually is since it can often be easily observed along the surface of the skin, then the five-year survival rate for the disease is nearly 100 percent.

Basal Cell Carcinoma at 10x Magnification - In the United States alone, an estimated 900,000 people develop basal cell carcinoma each year, and by most accounts, that number will continue to grow as the Earth’s protective ozone layer becomes increasingly compromised.

Basal Cell Carcinoma at 40x Magnification - The appearance of basal cell carcinoma can vary significantly, which sometimes makes it difficult for individuals to recognize that they have the disease. Thus, any non-healing or recurring sore should be brought to the attention of a medical professional.

Basal Cell Carcinoma at 20x Magnification - Since the majority of an individual’s lifetime exposure to the harmful rays of the sun is acquired during childhood and the latent period between intense exposure to sunlight and the onset of basal cell carcinoma is 20 to 50 years, preventative measures are best begun in one’s youth.