Basal Cell Carcinoma

Question: Can I have a basal cell carcinoma on my foot? Has this happened to anyone, what I thought was a wart is infact a basal cell carcinoma. How was it treated if this happened to you. Thanks.

Answer: Skin cancer is a major problem in the elderly. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer, typically occurs in this age group. Despite a number of modalities readily available for treatment. Consequently, the search for novel treatments continues. To my knowledge, there are only 6 published reports of invasive SCC treated with 5-percent Imiquimod cream. (Imiquimod is a topically applied imidazoquiline immunomodulator that enhances both innate and cell-mediated immunity ) This is a clinical trial result that has details that may be of interest:- An 89-year-old woman presented with three lesions on her lower limbs. She had previous treatments for multiple basal cell carcinomas, actinic keratoses, Bowen disease, and invasive SCCs at various sites. The new lesions were on the left foot (one) and right lower leg (two) and all showed changes of poorly differentiated SCC histologically. She declined surgical excision; radiotherapy was felt to be a poor option. She was treated with 5-percent imiquimod cream, initially to just the lesion on the dorsum of the foot, for 8-12 hours at night for three nights each week (three times a week). Treatment was well tolerated by week 2, so the frequency was increased to five times a week, and all three lesions treated. Gradually, two lesions diminished in size. Treatment was continued until there was no clinical evidence of residual tumor at these sites (19 weeks) repeat biopsies showed only a focus of dysplastic cells with no invasion (dorsum, left foot), and epidermal hyperplasia with no significant cytological atypia (outer aspect, right lower leg) Neither now showed evidence of invasive SCC. After 16 months there was no recurrence of either lesion. The third lesion (right lower leg,) did not respond to topical imiquimod and was later surgically excised. Hope this helps Matador 89

Question: What are some treatments for Basal Cell Carcinoma? I think i have Basal Cell Carcinoma, And I'm going to the clinic Thursday, and i was wondering what i have to look forward to.. Like what they'll do to treat it.

Answer: Basal Cell Carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. It is typically a very slow growing, non-invasive cancer and is treated very effectivly by excision. If the doctor believes the lesion to be suspicious of BCC, they will likely schedule a biopsy to confirm this, and then completely remove it by cutting it out and placing a couple of stiches on the wound.

Question: Basal cell carcinoma surgery and skin graft - anyone else had the same? I've had a full thickness skin graft for a basal cell carcinoma on my left temple on my face, but after 3 months, my wound site where the cancer was (not the skin graft site) is still painful. Anyone else had this?

Answer: I had a basal cell carcinoma on my nose removed April 3rd 1991. Now its beginning to peel. I've made arrangement to see a skin specialist. I would suggest you do the same. It can be very painful. The likelihood of the cancer coming back, while still in the back of our minds, is minimal at best, its still there and very real, and very scary. Go see your DR. its important. And refrain from being in the sun. Your to important/special to not go see about it.

Question: Is there a way to easily detect basal cell carcinoma early? Basal cell carcinoma is non-life threatening, but can be disfiguring if not treated in a timely way. I was wondering if there are ways to detect basal cell carcinoma early enough so that surgery can be minimally invasive.

Answer: the best way for early detection of any skin cancer is routine visits to your dermatologist. by routine i mean if youre at risk you should go in shorter time frames, if at low risk go at farther times. the doc will examine your skin at every visit and make notes of the location size and shape of exhisting moles and monitor them and the rest of you for any chenges.

Question: What are the symptoms of a basal cell carcinoma? Is it possible that you could have one for a year without any change in size? Also how likely is it that someone in their early 20's could get one. (i.e. does it require excessive sun exposure?) I am looking at google, but I would also like some input from you people.

Answer: The risk of skin cancer is related to the amount of sun exposure and pigmentation in the skin. The longer the exposure to the sun and the lighter the skin, the greater the risk of skin cancer. It occurs most frequently in people over 45 years of age, and almost twice as often in men as in women, but if you're in the sun very often with little or no protection, it is possible for you to get skin cancer even in your early 20's. Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma: -The five most typical characteristics of basal cell carcinoma are quite different from each other. Frequently, two or more features are present in one tumor. In addition, basal cell carcinoma sometimes resembles non-cancerous skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema. Only a trained physician, usually a dermatologist, can diagnose this cancer. It is advisable to learn the signs of basal cell carcinoma and examine the body regularly, as often as once a month, if at high risk. A full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror can be very useful for the less visible parts of the body. The five warning signs of basal cell carcinoma are: -An open sore that bleeds, oozes or crusts, and remains open for three or more weeks. A persistent, non-healing sore is a very common early manifestation. -A reddish patch or an irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms or legs. Sometimes the patch crusts. It may also itch or hurt. At other times, it persists with no noticeable discomfort. -A smooth growth with an elevated, rolled border and an indentation in the center. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface. -A shiny bump (or nodule) that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole. -A scar-like area (white, yellow, or waxy in appearance) which often has poorly defined borders. The skin itself appears shiny or taut. -Although a less frequent sign, it can indicate the presence of an aggressive tumor. http://www.healthscout.com/ency/1/199/ma…

Question: Information on Squamous cell carcinoma, Basal cell carcinoma, and Melanoma? I need information on those three types of cancer and these are the questions I need answered about each one: What skin layers are affected? (such as epidermis and dermis) How is it treated? (any pills, special surgery?) Thanks for everyones help!

Answer: All of the malignancies you have mentioned are known as skin cancers. Basal Cell carcinoma usually involves the superficial layers (epidermis) of the skin and, if caught early, the treatment is removal of the lesion at the doctor's office under local anesthesia and follow up visits to see if any other suspicious lesions show up.If subsequent lesions are found a series of radiotherapy treatments is performed. Squamous cell carcinoma also arises on the epidermis but from the squamous cells. Since these cells are located deeper it can spread to the dermis and if left untreated it can eventually erode into the fat, muscle and bone; it literally "eats" away those tissues leaving the bone exposed {that's why it's also called "rodent ulcer"}. Early treatment is the same as Basal cell {surgical excision}, or the use of a topical cream {Aldara}. Once it reaches fat and muscle, treatment consists of radiotherapy followed by intravenous chemotherapeutic medications. Melanoma is by far the deadliest of skin cancers; it arises from the melanocytes which are the pigment-producing cells. This type of skin cancer tends to quite quickly metastasize to the bones, lymphatic system and eventually to distant organs like the lungs and brain. As soon as diagnosed, the lesion{s} are excised, aggressive radio and chemotherapy is started in an effort to prevent or halt further metastases. Although the main cause of all skin cancers is exposure to UV rays from sunlight or tanning booths, they can sometimes turn up in the most unlikely of places, In March of 2007 I was diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma in my vulva {I don't do nude sunbathing nor use tanning booths}. The lesion was excised after six months of my Gyno having misdiagnosed it as a genital wart and treating it as such, which only worsened the situation. In this case a medical malpractice suit is under way.

Question: What are the primary and other risk factors that may or may not be related to basal cell carcinoma? This is for my Anatomy class and is a clinical case study. I ask.com'd it but that none of the sites really helped me on determining the primary and other risk factors.

Answer: Basal Cell Carcinoma Risk Factors Some common risk factors for basal cell carcinoma include: Chronic sun exposure mainly to UVB radiation but also UVA A history of repeated sunburns or childhood exposure to the sun A suppressed immune system HIV disease Ionizing radiation used for acne in the 1940's Fair skin and the propensity to freckle or burn rather than tan Some rare risk factors for basal cell carcinoma include: Exposure to arsenic A condition called granuloma inguinale Scarred or previously damaged skin, especially radiation damage Rare genetic diseases such as xeroderma pigmentosa, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, and albinism

Question: Body massage advised or not when Basal Cell Carcinoma diagnosed? I was advised to check with my doctor if body massage is recommended after being diagnosed with BCC, although I was already treated, and the BCC was eliminated. The doctor said that it is OK to get the massage. Has anyone experienced something similar? A response will be appreciated.

Answer: BCC is a localized cancer and once they are removed there is no risk at all to having a massage. BCC do not spread into the lymph nodes so this is another reason there is no risk in getting a massage. Enjoy your massage.

Question: What does brisk lymphocytic infiltrate mean when associated with a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma?

Answer: I would interpret this as a positive - an indication that the immune system recognized the threat and was attacking "briskly." [ I've not seen a pathologist use the word brisk to describe a lymphocytic infiltration, but it's an interesting characterization.] Basal Cell skin CA should be highly curable with resection alone.

Question: I had surgery for cystic basal cell carcinoma and now have a lump above incision, why? surgery went well...but above incision I have a long, noticable lump that bothers me, of course.

Answer: Of course that's a question for your health care provider but I'll give my opinion. I think it's scar tissue. It could be inflammation since the body is in the process of healing. It may go away in time, but still, consult your health care provider who can examine it and give you an informed answer.