What is Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is also the least dangerous. The name is derived from the part of the skin that is affected. Basal cell carcinomas generally have a fleshy pink to red color, ulcerate often, and are often appear as if they are wounds that are slow to heal.

The majority of basal cell cancers occur on sun-exposed areas of the body, and are strongly influenced by sun damage. Although this form of skin cancer is rarely life threatening it will continue to destroy surrounding tissue, and therefore required prompt treatment.

• Pink to red, fleshy
• Wound like appearance, often mistaken to be a slow healing wound
• Tends to appear in sun exposed areas
• Often symmetrical unlike other types of cancers
• Will not resolve on its own

Common identifying features:

• Lesion is dome shaped
• Raised at the edges
• Flesh or pink in color
• Small blood vessels can often been seen at the top of the lesion
• May ulcerate and bleed at the center
• Resembles a pimple, but unlike pimples, it will not heal

More BCC facts

• More common in the elderly
• Most common type of skin cancer
• More common among patients with a lighter coloured skin tone
• Will often seem like a sore that doesn't heal
• Commonly found on the face
• Several subtypes of BCC

• Treating Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Images of Basal Cell Carcinoma

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