How serious is nodular basal cell carcinoma?

How serious is nodular basal cell carcinoma?

How dangerous is BCC? While BCCs rarely spread beyond the original tumor site, if allowed to grow, these lesions can be disfiguring and dangerous. Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin and destroy skin, tissue and bone.

Is nodular basal cell carcinoma aggressive?

Superficial and nodular BCC subtypes behave with relatively indolent malignant behaviour. More aggressive BCC subtypes include micronodular, infiltrating, morphoeic or sclerosing, and BCC with squamous differentiationthese aggressive subtypes were assessed combined as aggressive subtype, in this study.

Can nodular basal cell carcinoma spread?

Very rarely, basal cell carcinoma can spread (metastasize) to nearby lymph nodes and other areas of the body, such as the bones and lungs.

What does a nodular basal cell carcinoma look like?

Nodular BCC looks like a dome-shaped bump. It may be pearly or shiny. Typical colors are pink, red, brown, or black. You may see tiny blood vessels in the lesion.

What is nodular type basal cell carcinoma?

Nodular basal cell carcinoma comprises about 60-80% of the cases and occurs most often on the skin of the head. Clinically it is presented by elevated, exophytic pearl-shaped nodules with telangiectasie on the surface and periphery [Figure 1]. Subsequently, nodular BCC can extend into ulcerative or cystic pattern.

How long does it take for basal cell carcinoma to spread?

The tumors enlarge very slowly, sometimes so slowly that they go unnoticed as new growths. However, the growth rate varies greatly from tumor to tumor, with some growing as much as inch (about 1 centimeter) in a year.

What is the most aggressive subtype of basal cell carcinoma?

Basosquamous: Also known as metatypical BCC. Under the microscope, this subtype shows cellular features of both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. They are considered a more aggressive variant of BCC.

Is nodular BCC invasive?

Micronodular BCCs contain small nodules of tumor cells that invade surrounding stroma. The morpheaform and micronodular types are generally the most locally invasive variants of BCC. It is common for BCCs to show mixed histologic patterns of these various types.

What is aggressive BCC?

Aggressive-growth basal cell carcinoma (AG-BCC) defines a group of basal cell cancers that are histologically and clinically aggressive. This group includes morpheaform, infiltrating, and recurrent BCCs.

What happens if you don’t remove basal cell carcinoma?

It rarely spreads to other parts of the body. This type of skin cancer needs to be treated and has a high cure rate. If left untreated, basal cell carcinomas can become quite large, cause disfigurement, and in rare cases, spread to other parts of the body and cause death.

Does basal cell carcinoma metastasize?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) accounts for 80% of all nonmelanoma skin cancers. Its metastasis is extremely rare, ranging between 0.0028 and 0.55 of all BCC cases. The usual metastasis to lymph nodes, lungs, bones, or skin is from the primary tumor situated in the head and neck region in nearly 85% cases.

What if basal cell carcinoma goes untreated?

Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas However, left untreated, BCCs can grow deeper into the skin and damage surrounding skin, tissue, and bone. Occasionally, a BCC can become aggressive, spreading to other parts of the body and even becoming life threatening.

What is a basal cell nodule?

Nodular basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of basal cell carcinoma and usually presents as a round, pearly, flesh-colored papule with telangiectases. More than 60% of BCCs belong to this subtype.

Is nodular basal cell carcinoma superficial?

BASAL CELL carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. Although nodular BCC is the most common subtype, superficial BCC accounts for 10% to 17% of all BCCs2 – 6 and up to 38% of BCCs in certain locations, such as the neck.

Should I be worried if I have basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer that grows on parts of your skin that get a lot of sun. It’s natural to feel worried when your doctor tells you that you have it, but keep in mind that it’s the least risky type of skin cancer. As long as you catch it early, you can be cured.

What is nodular type?

Nodular melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It’s a dangerous form of melanoma that grows quickly. Only about 15% of all melanomas are nodular.

What is the difference between nodular and micronodular basal cell carcinoma?

Micronodular basal cell carcinoma is thought to have a greater potential for clinically surreptitious tumor spread compared with the majority of basal cell carcinomas that are nodular. They also have wider and deeper tumor extensions than nodular basal cell carcinomas of similar clinical size.

What are the three types of basal cell carcinoma?

These are nodular, superficial spreading, sclerosing and pigmented basal cell carcinomas.

Do basal cell carcinoma appear suddenly?

Basal cell carcinoma can appear suddenly. Unfortunately, when it shows up, it is often not recognized. Ignoring the early warning signs and symptoms of any skin cancer could lead to disfiguring scars or worsening conditions. If you see a sudden change in your skin, it is important that you have it checked immediately.

How quickly do skin cancers grow?

Melanoma can grow very quickly. It can become life-threatening in as little as 6 weeks and, if untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun.

Does basal cell carcinoma grow deep?

Basal cell carcinoma spreads very slowly and very rarely will metastasize, Dr. Christensen says. But if it’s not treated, basal cell carcinoma can continue to grow deeper under the skin and cause significant destruction to surrounding tissues. It can even become fatal.

What are the subtypes of basal cell carcinoma?

More than 26 different subtypes of BCC appear in the literature, but the more common, distinctive, clinicopathologic types include: nodular, micronodular, superficial, morpheaform, infiltrative and fibroepithelial (also known as fibroepithelioma of Pinkus). Combinations of these types can occur as well.

What is a high risk basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinomas are considered to be high risk (likely to come back after treatment) if: they are located in the middle or central part of the face, such as the eyelids, nose, ears, and lips. they have come back after first treatment. they are wider than 2 centimeters.

How aggressive is infiltrative basal cell carcinoma?

Infiltrating basal cell carcinomas can be more aggressive and locally destructive than other types of basal cell carcinoma. They can invade more deeply and widely than may first be evident by the superficial appearance of the skin cancer.

What is an invasive BCC?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common, locally invasive, keratinocyte cancer (also known as nonmelanoma cancer). It is the most common form of skin cancer. BCC is also known as rodent ulcer and basalioma. Patients with BCC often develop multiple primary tumours over time.

How serious is superficial basal cell carcinoma?

Although it can be locally invasive and destructive, it rarely metastasizes and is readily amenable to excisional management. However, facial BCC is particularly of concern because it is considered malignant. It can cause significant destruction and disfigurement by invading surrounding tissues.

What is basal cell carcinoma superficial and nodular type?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most prevalent and persistent types, and appears in two main histological forms, superficial and nodular. Typical treatments include surgery; however, this may leave scarring, which is undesirable, especially in facial lesions.

Can basal cells aggressive?

BCC generally has a clinical course characterized by slow growth, minimal soft tissue invasiveness, and a high response rate to conventional therapies. Occasionally, however, BCC behaves aggressively, with deep invasion, recurrence, and potential regional and distant metastasis.

What is the survival rate for basal cell carcinoma?

The prognosis for patients with BCC is excellent, with a 100% survival rate for cases that have not spread to other sites. Nevertheless, if BCC is allowed to progress, it can result in significant morbidity, and cosmetic disfigurement is not uncommon.

Can basal cells turn into melanoma?

Basal cell carcinoma does not progress into melanoma. Each is a separate and distinct type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and one of two major nonmelanoma skin cancer types (the other is squamous cell carcinoma).