Basal cell skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, with about 3 million cases in the U.S. each year. Basal cell carcinoma is most common in those over 50, with blond or red hair, light colored eyes, and fair skin, but can happen in anyone. More cases are diagnosed each year in young people, particularly those who have had a lot of sun exposure. The good news is, nearly all of these cases are cured with treatment, and we offer several treatments here at Bahr Dermatology in Bountiful.
Basal Cell Carcinoma will usually look like a pink or “pearly” bump on the skin, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a spot that bleeds easily. It is most commonly found on the head and neck, arms, or upper chest or back. If not caught early, this cancer can grow aggressively and can invade muscle, bone, and cartilage. It has more mutations in it than any other cancer and because of this, is usually kept in check by the immune system and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However, when basal cell cancer does spread, it can be quite fatal, with an average survival of only 8 months. Because of that and the potential for disfigurement from invasion of local tissues, it is important to find this type of skin cancer and get it treated early.
Depending on the size, type, and location of the skin cancer, Dr. Bahr suggests the following treatments:
This happens so rarely that most dermatologists have never seen a patient whose basal cell skin cancer has spread. If your skin cancer has already spread, other treatments such as radiation therapy, or an oral medication that targets the mutations in this tumor may also be used.