by A biopsy performed on a small lesion removed from President Joe Biden’s breast has been confirmed as basal cell carcinoma.
Doctors say all the cancerous tissue was removed and no further treatment is required.
What exactly is basal cell carcinoma — and what should people know about this common form of skin cancer?
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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is not only the most common type of skin cancer, it is also the most commonly diagnosed form of all cancers, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Each year, approximately 3.6 million people in the US are diagnosed.
President Joe Biden shields his eyes from the sun as he walks to Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Oct. 20, 2021. A biopsy performed on a small lesion removed from the president’s breast was confirmed as basal cell carcinoma. Doctors say all the cancerous tissue was removed and no further treatment is required. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
“These cancers form within the basal cells of the skin, which cover the deepest part of the epidermis – the outermost layer of the skin,” said Dr. Saya Obayan, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, and spokesperson for The Skin Cancer. Foundation, he told Fox News Digital in an earlier interview.
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“Almost all BCCs appear on parts of the body that are overexposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders and back.”
Too much UV exposure—whether from the sun or tanning beds—can cause basal cells to grow at an uncontrollable rate.
Too much UV exposure—whether from the sun or tanning beds—can cause basal cells to grow at an uncontrollable rate. (iStock)
As with all skin cancers, quick detection and action are key.
“Because BCCs grow slowly, most are curable and cause minimal damage when caught early,” Dr. Obayan said.
As with all skin cancers, quick detection and action are key.
BCC is the most common malignancy in white people, said Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News medical contributor based in New York.
It also accounts for 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
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“Overall, it’s easily curable and almost never spreads,” he said.
Important signs
A common warning sign is an open sore that is slow to heal or that repeatedly heals and comes back.
Other red flags include irritated or red patches of skin. a “shiny lump or nodule” that is clear, pink, red, or white; or a small pink growth, the Skin Care Foundation says on its website.
Each year, approximately 3.6 million people in the US are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
A more worrisome sign is a “scar-like area that has a flat white, yellow, or waxy hue,” which can be a sign of a more invasive form of basal cell carcinoma.
Treatments for basal cell carcinoma
“This type of skin cancer is most often treated with local surgery, although it can also be removed with creams or radiation,” Dr. Siegel said.
Other treatments for BCC may include topical medications and cryosurgery, where tumors are frozen with liquid nitrogen. (iStock)
A procedure called Mohs surgery is widely regarded as the most effective technique for BCC removal.
Mohs was first introduced in the late 1960s and 1970s and has an impressive 99% success rate for treating lesions.
“Mohs surgery works by removing cancer cells in layers to preserve healthy tissue,” explained Dr. Siegel.
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Other treatments for BCC may include topical medications and cryosurgery, where tumors are frozen with liquid nitrogen, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Other common types of skin cancer
The second most common form of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is also caused by UV exposure and mainly affects the same areas as BCC.
“Most SCCs can be treated easily and successfully, but if left to grow, they can become disfiguring and even fatal,” warned Dr. Obayan.
Those who notice any skin changes should consult their doctor. (iStock)
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and can be fatal if it spreads deeper into the skin or other parts of the body, the doctor said.
Anyone can get skin cancer — but certain factors increase the risk.
“These include a history of indoor tanning or sunburn, your skin type (the lighter your skin, the more at risk you are) and genetics,” Dr. Obayan said.
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The Skin Cancer Foundation has posted pictures of every warning sign of basal cell carcinoma on its website.
Those who notice any skin changes should consult their doctor.
