2. ď‚— Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a slow
progressing nonmelanocytic skin cancer
ď‚— that arises from basal cells (ie, small,
round cells found in the lower layer of the
epidermis).
3. ď‚— It is the most common skin cancer (80%)
ď‚— Estimated 3.3 million cases are diagnosed per
year(US) and incidence doubles every 25 years
 The incidence high in areas of ↑UV radiation
(Australia,South africa)
ď‚— estimated lifetime risk of 33-39% for men and
23-28% for women
ď‚— Men >Women
ď‚— It increases with age (50-80 yrs )
ď‚— Rare in <40 yrs (5-15%)
4.
5. ď‚— Sun damage
ď‚— Repeated prior episodes of sunburn
ď‚— Fair skin, blue eyes and blond or
red hair ( also affect darker skin
types)
ď‚— Previous cutaneous injury, thermal
burn, disease
(eg cutaneous lupus, sebaceous
naevus)
6. ď‚— Inherited syndromes: BCC is a particular problem
for families with basal cell naevus syndrome
(Gorlin syndrome), Bazex syndrome, Rombo
syndrome and xeroderma pigmentosum
,albinism
ď‚— Other risk factors include ionising radiation,
exposure to arsenic, coal tar, smoking tanning bed
and immune suppression due
to disease or medicines
7. ď‚— The cause of BCC is multifactorial.
ď‚— DNA mutations in the patched
(PTCH) tumour suppressor gene, part of hedgehog
signalling pathway (SHH)
ď‚— triggered by exposure to ultraviolet radiation
ď‚— Various spontaneous and inherited gene
defects predispose to BCC
8.
9. ď‚— BCC is a locally invasive skin tumour and rarely
metastatize(< 0.01%)
ď‚— The main characteristics are:
ď‚— Slow growing: 0.5 cm in 1-2 years
ď‚— Varies in size from a few millimetres to several
centimetres in diameter
ď‚— Skin coloured, pink or pigmented
ď‚— Spontaneous bleeding or ulceration
ď‚— Waxy papules with central depression
ď‚— Pearly appearance
10. ď‚— Oozing or crusted areas: In large BCCs
ď‚— Rolled (raised) border
ď‚— Translucency
ď‚— Telangiectases over the surface
ď‚— Black-blue or brown areas
12. ď‚— There are several distinct clinical types of
BCC, and over 20 histological growth
patterns of BCC
ď‚— Nodular
ď‚— Superficial
ď‚— Morphoeic
ď‚— Basisquamous
ď‚— Fibroepithelial tumour of Pinkus
13. ď‚— Most common type of facial BCC
ď‚— Shiny or pearly nodule with a smooth
surface with telangiectases
ď‚— May have central depression or ulceration,
so its edges appear rolled
ď‚— Cystic variant is soft, with jelly-like contents
ď‚— Micronodular, microcystic and infiltrative
types are potentially aggressive subtypes
14.
15. ď‚— Most common type in younger adults
ď‚— Most common type on upper trunk and
shoulders
ď‚— Slightly scaly, irregular plaque
ď‚— Thin, translucent rolled border
ď‚— Multiple microerosions
16.
17. ď‚— Also known as morphoeiform or sclerosing
BCC
ď‚— Usually found in mid-facial sites
ď‚— Waxy, scar-like plaque with indistinct
borders
ď‚— Flat or slightly depressed, fibrotic, and firm
ď‚— Wide and deep subclinical extension
18.
19. ď‚— Mixed basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
ď‚— Infiltrative growth pattern
ď‚— Potentially more aggressive than other forms of BCC
22. ď‚— Characteristics of recurrent BCC often
include:
ď‚— Incomplete excision or narrow margins at
primary excision
ď‚— Morphoeic, micronodular, and infiltrative
subtypes
ď‚— Location on head and neck
23. ď‚— Advanced BCC
ď‚— Advanced BCCs are large, often neglected tumours.
ď‚— They may be several centimetres in diameter
ď‚— They may be deeply infiltrating into tissues below the
skin
ď‚— They are difficult or impossible to treat surgically
25. ď‚— Skin biopsy
ď‚— To confirm and diagnose bcc and its subtype
Shave biopsy
Punch biospy
ď‚— Cytology
ď‚— Histologic findings
ď‚— Laser doppler (eyelids tumor margins)
26.
27. ď‚— Treatment depends on size ,location and type of
BCC
ď‚— Curretage and electrosessication
ď‚— Mohs micrographic surgery
ď‚— Excisional surgery
ď‚— Radiation
ď‚— Cryosurgery
ď‚— Photodynamic theray
ď‚— Laser surgery
ď‚— Topical medications
28. ď‚— Curretage and electricdesiccation : The growth is
scraped off with a curette, an instrument with a sharp,
ring-shaped tip), then the tumor site is desiccated
(burned) with an electrocautery needle.
ď‚— Small lesions
ď‚— Leaves round whiitish scar
ď‚— Not suitable for advanced bcc, in high
risk sites.
29. ď‚— Excision means the lesion is cut out and the skin
stitched up.
ď‚— Most appropriate treatment for nodular, infiltrative
and morphoeic BCCs
ď‚— Should include 3 to 5 mm margin of normal skin
around the tumour
ď‚— Very large lesions may require flap or skin graft to
repair the defect
ď‚— Further surgery is recommended for lesions that are
incompletely excised
30.
31. ď‚— Cryotherapy is the treatment of a superficial
skin lesion by freezing it, usually with liquid nitrogen.
ď‚— Suitable for small superficial BCCs on covered areas of
trunk and limbs
ď‚— Results in a blister that crusts over and heals within
several weeks.
ď‚— Leaves permanent white mark
32. ď‚— Photodynamic therapy (PDT) refers to a technique in
which BCC is treated with a photosensitising chemical,
and exposed to light several hours later.
ď‚— Topical photosensitisers include aminolevulinic acid
lotion and methyl aminolevulinate cream
ď‚— Suitable for low-risk small, superficial BCCs
 Results in inflammatory reaction, maximal 3–4 days
after procedure
ď‚— Treatment repeated 7 days after initial treatment
ď‚— Excellent cosmetic results
33.
34. ď‚— Radiotherapy or X-ray treatment can be used to treat
primary BCCs or as adjunctive treatment if margins are
incomplete.
ď‚— Mainly used if surgery is not suitable
ď‚— Best avoided in young patients and in genetic conditions
predisposing to skin cancer
ď‚— Best cosmetic results achieved using multiple fractions
ď‚— Typically, patient attends once-weekly for several weeks
ď‚— Causes inflammatory reaction followed by scar
ď‚— Risk of radiodermatitis, late recurrence, and new tumours
35. ď‚— Imiquimod cream
ď‚— Imiquimod is an immune response modifier.
ď‚— Best used for superficial BCCs less than 2 cm diameter
 Applied three to five times each week, for 6–16 weeks
ď‚— Fluorouracil cream
ď‚— 5-Fluorouracil cream is a topical cytotoxic agent.
ď‚— Used to treat small superficial basal cell carcinomas
 Requires prolonged course, eg twice daily for 6–12 weeks
ď‚— Causes inflammatory reaction
ď‚— Has high recurrence rates
38. ď‚— Protect skin from sun exposure daily, year-round and
lifelong.
ď‚— Stay indoors or under the shade in the middle of the
day
ď‚— Wear covering clothing
ď‚— Apply high protection factor SPF50+ broad-
spectrum sunscreens generously to exposed skin if
outdoors
ď‚— Avoid indoor tanning (sun beds, solaria)