last authored: Sept 2009, David LaPierre
Basal cell carcinoma: most common human malignant disease! Ulcerative lesion w rolled
borders and telangiectasias. Grows by local invasion (“rodent ulcer”), not by LN or
distant mets.
Fasting growing group is women under 40.
Subtypes include:
Types (from most common:
start up as papules-nodules-ulcerative
pearly/shiny
growing
Rolled-up borders
telangiectasias
squamous cell carcinoma
actinic keratosis
melanoma (pigmented BCC can be confused with it)
Surgery is
Radiation
Chemotherapy or immiquimod (T Cell modulator) can be applied topically, especially for superficial BCC.
Rx: elecrodessic’n & curettage (derm), local excision (can use narrow
margins for most BCC), cryotherapy (liquid N), topical chemo, superficial RT or
immunotherapy (imiquimod/Aldara). MOH’S surgery for recurrent or high grade
tumours (e.g. morpheaform/sclerosing or neurotropic BCC).
Metastasis is exceedingly rare, except in immunosuppressed patients, who even still have very rare rates of metastasis.
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