Most people have heard of basal cancer cells, but what are they? This article will explain what basal cancer cells are and what treatments are available to them. Although basal cell cancer has a high survival rate, many patients experience substantial cosmetic disfigurement and pain. Luckily, there are effective treatments available to relieve the symptoms of basal cell cancer. In some cases, these treatments can be combined with other therapies for a more effective treatment.
In most cases, basal cancer cells make their home in the skin. Because basal cell carcinoma is rare, it does not typically spread to other parts of the body, which means that staging tests are rarely needed. Instead, the doctor may order a CT scan, which is a series of detailed pictures of the inside of the body made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. To help the doctor identify organs, the scan can include a dye injected into the vein or swallowed to make them more visible.
Basal cancer cells are found mostly on the skin, where they make new skin cells and push older skin tissues to the surface. In some cases, basal cancer cells become invasive and can spread throughout the body. In the case of lip cancer, it is more likely to spread to the ears or lips. The condition is often characterized by a characteristic ring of growth that looks like a mole. In a few cases, the cancer can be curable by surgical removal of the affected area.
The main symptoms of basal cell carcinoma include a growth on the skin, which can resemble a pimple or a flesh-colored mole. In some cases, basal cancer cells develop as a sore that will not heal. It is most likely to develop on areas of the body exposed to the sun. Often, the condition will be detected through a bleeding spot. It is usually localized, but it can lead to more extensive tissue destruction locally.
People with several basal cell carcinomas are at an increased risk of developing other, unrelated types of cancer. These types of cancer include melanoma, colorectal cancer, blood cancer, and prostate cancer. A recent study by Stanford University found that people with six or more basal cell carcinomas were more likely to have two other types of cancer. The researchers also found that people with three or more basal cell cancers were twice as likely as those with only one basal cell cancer.
People with basal cell cancer should seek care as soon as possible. Although the cancer is generally not life-threatening, the disfiguring effect can make treatment more difficult. In rare cases, basal cancer can cause death. Statistics of deaths from basal cell cancer are not tracked by the national cancer registry. Most victims are older people who have not had skin checks in a long time. However, they may need to undergo surgical procedures to remove the tumor or bone.
