Basal Cell Carcinoma

750 Words2 Pages

Basal Cell Carcinoma:
Basal cell carcinoma is a mass of cells that has grown in an abnormal and uncontrollable manner. These cells clump together to form a tumour, which is a malignant cancer. It is thee most common type of skin cancer and it can be characterised as a “slow-growing” cancer that rarely spreads to neighbouring sites to form more malignancies (Kumar et al., 2012:864).
Epidemiological Information:
A person who has made contact with the sun is at risk of developing this type of skin cancer. Generally people with lighter coloured skin are more susceptible of developing this skin cancer than people who are darker skinned. People with lighter coloured eyes also have a greater chance of developing this skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is more likely to be seen in older people and it is fairly rare to be seen in children (SkinCancer, 2014).
What causes cells to become cancerous?
Mutations occur in the normal cells which cause them to multiply rapidly, grow abnormally and uncontrollably. These cells clump together in a mass to form a tumour. These tumours are not necessarily malignant; they only become malignant once they invade other tissues. Due to invasion, they accumulate space and feed off the nutrients used to supply the local space. The nutrients aid them in survival and functioning (Patient, 2014).
Pathogenesis of Basal Cell Carcinoma:
Basal cell carcinoma is a result of the exposure to ultraviolet light. Prolonged exposure leads to a greater chance of developing this skin cancer, as the ultraviolet rays cause a mutation in the tumour suppressor gene to arise (Crowson, 2006, Carucci & Leffell. 2008, Miller, 1991a,b cited by Khalifa & Adil, 2012:43). A number of subtypes of basal cell carcinoma are able to become ...

... middle of paper ...

...in is exposed to. You could apply sunscreen to areas of your body that is most likely to be exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck and forearms. By all means avoid tanning salons. Do not all your skin to burn if you are outside for long periods of time. Always do a self examination of your skin every month. If you suspect something, always act on it and seek medical attention from your dermatologist.
Basal cell carcinoma can be treated or removed in a number of ways, but Mohs surgery has been accepted as the most effective way to eradicate the disease and reoccurring tumours. The process involves removing a very thin layer of tumour and then examining it immediately under the microscope. If tumour cells are found in the layer, another layer is removed and examined until enough layers have been removed and examined, to display no signs of the malignancy.

More about Basal Cell Carcinoma

Open Document