About Skin Cancer and Basal Cell Carcinomas, its Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Basal cell carcinoma, of the three major types of skin cancer it is the most common and affecting more men than women of the age group from forty to fifty years of age. It increasingly affects lighter skinned people with thin ir red hair and who tend to burn when out in the sun too long.In appearance this cancer is in the form of a limp of flesh color or slightly red and with a pearly look. It can also be of a pimple like growth that may not heal. It can be like a red scaly patch. Areas of skin exposed to the suns UV rays like face, neck, arms are likely to be affected with this cancer.
The lump ulcerates after six weeks of its appearance. While the centre is moist, the surrounding edge is harder. A scab may form over it and fall off but it never heals. Various causes are there for this skin cancer like exposure to a carcinogenic source which can be the suns UV rays or severe sunburn as a youth. Exposure to radiation from radio therapy and some other chemicals like arsenic are also some of the causes.
Genetic factor is also possible in some people. There are inherited syndromes like xeroderma pigmentosa, a basic fault in the DNA that affects the way a cell can repair itself. This condition is found in people with extensive freckling and who are extra sensitive to the sun.Ulcerous wounds from injury, another type of thermal burn that does not heal quickly can cause this basal cell cancer. An immune suppressed person as in the case of recipients of transplants is vulnerable to basal cancer. Treatment depends upon the size of the tumor, where it is located, the age of the person, whether the cancer is a recurring one or the first one.
Many options for treatment of this cancer are available. The dermatologist must first discuss with the patient on what is available. It may be a simple surgery and removal and cauterization to seal the blood vessels surrounding the site or kill off the cancer cells remaining in the area.New therapies for treating basal carcinoma with burn are under research. Mohs Technique is used for large sized, recurrent, tumors near the eye, or nose where the surgeon shaves off cancerous tissue one layer at a time till he reaches a healthy tissue thus sparing damage to it. Basal carcinoma is completely curable cancer particularly when it is diagnosed and treated in early stages.