What is basalioma and what forms are there?
Basal cell carcinoma is a non-melanoma skin cancer. Unlike melanoma, it almost never spreads through the lymphatic vessels and blood, but has local destructive growth: the tumor gradually deepens, and the longer it exists, the more extensive the operation will be. The appearance depends on the shape. The most common are nodular and superficial. The scleroderma-like form looks like a scar and has unclear boundaries, while the pigmented form can resemble melanoma.
- Nodular - mother-of-pearl node with vessels
- Superficial - pink scaly spot
- Scleroderma-like (infiltrative)
- Pigmented
- Ulcerative form
- Multiple basal cell carcinomas in hereditary syndromes
Causes and risk factors
The main reason is years of accumulated exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which damages the DNA of skin cells. Therefore, basal cell carcinomas appear mainly on the face and in people who spend a lot of time in the sun: working outdoors or relaxing without protection. The risk is higher if you have fair skin, are older, have had radiation therapy, have been on long-term medications that suppress your immune system, and have been exposed to arsenic. Anyone who has already suffered from basal cell carcinoma has an increased likelihood of new lesions appearing.
- Prolonged exposure to the sun
- Light skin prone to burns
- Old age
- Previous skin irradiation
- Immune suppression after transplantation
- Previously suffered basal cell carcinoma
Symptoms
At an early stage, basal cell carcinoma looks like a small dense nodule of skin color or pink, with a pearlescent sheen and thin vessels on the surface. It gradually increases, and a depression or ulcer with a crust may form in the center, which bleeds when injured and does not heal. The superficial form is similar to eczema or psoriasis: a pink, slightly scaly patch with a raised ridge along the edge. Pain appears late, when the tumor grows into deep tissues.
- Mother of pearl knot
- Small vessels on the surface
- Non-healing ulcer with crust
- Roll along the edge of the formation
- Flaky pink spot
- Bleeding when touched
Diagnostics
An experienced dermatologist often suspects basal cell carcinoma upon examination, and dermatoscopy allows one to see characteristic signs: tree-like vessels, ulcerations, pigment structures. The diagnosis is confirmed only by histological or cytological examination of the material obtained during biopsy or tumor removal. Histology also determines the form of basal cell carcinoma, which determines the choice of treatment method. For large or advanced tumors near the eye, nose and ear, a CT or MRI is prescribed to assess the depth of germination.
- Examination by a dermatologist
- Dermatoscopy
- Biopsy or excision with histology
- Cytological examination of a smear-imprint
- CT or MRI for deep germination
Treatment and prevention
The method is selected according to the size, shape, location of the tumor and the age of the patient. Standard - surgical excision with indentation of healthy skin and histological control of the edges; Micrographic surgery is used in complex areas of the face. Small superficial tumors can be treated with cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, or topical medications. Radiation therapy is used when surgery is not desired. For advanced tumors, targeted drugs are used. After treatment, you need to be monitored by a dermatologist, as relapses and new lesions are possible.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat
- Avoid the sun during midday hours
- Do not visit the solarium
- Regularly examine the skin of the face and neck
- Do not cauterize non-healing wounds yourself
- See a dermatologist after treatment
