Basal Cell Carcinoma Pictures .org

These three major types (there are more types which are rare and uncommon that we cover here) are generally separated into two different categories: NonMelanoma and Melanoma. The two types of non-melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma type skin cancer is, of course, a melanoma. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and accounts for half of all cancer cases diagnosed annually.(1,2,3)

What is Carcinoma? Carcinoma is a malignant growth of epithelial cells that arises in the coverings and linings of our body parts (ie, skin and mucous membranes). This abnormal, harmful, and progressively worsening growth can metastasis (spread) to other parts of the body through our lymphatic system and blood stream. In simple terms, you can think of carcinoma as similar to a cancerous tumor, or malignant growth, of our epithelial cells. Carcinoma is one of the most common types of cancer which not only include skin cancer, but breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers as well. Neoplasm is another name for this growth.

During our normal body functioning, cells in our body grow and divide when the body needs them. Cancer occurs when this process is impaired and a cell or small group of cells begin to divide and grow abnormally, and at a faster rate than the body requires. Once this abnormal growth process begins, the cells quickly invade healthy, adjacent tissue until a carcinoma or tumor begins to form. Our body has built in immune system responses which normally prevent this from happening. When a cell propagates itself, it is suppose to stop growing when it touches another cell. A malignant growth occurs when this fails to happen. (2,3,4)

This proliferation of cancerous cells enables the disease to quickly form tumors and spread throughout the body. Without contact inhibition to stop their progress, cancer cells are free to grow. Nutrition is required for growing, so the cells feed off the body's systems, robbing it of much needed nutrients. When cancer cells invade surrounding tissue and organs, they can inhibit or completely stop normal processes. Because they do not accomplish any useful function, cancer cells can be thought of as parasitic. (4)

In cases of skin cancer, this abnormal cell growth is an impairment that is the result of serious harm to our DNA caused by ultraviolet light induced damage which leads to cellular mutations. "Apart from the mutagenesis, sunlight depresses the local immune system, possibly decreasing immune system surveillance for new tumor cells." (6)

In addition to UV damage, there are other causes and risk factors of basal cell carcinoma which we cover here.

Skin Cancer Naming: All types of skin cancer are named after the layer of cells in which they form, and those cell are located in the epidermis (outer most layer of skin). See Fig. 1. As you can see from the diagram below: The epidermis is the outer most layer of skin which itself is made up of different layers of cells which include, from top to bottom, the stratum corneum, squamous cell layer, basal cell layer, and melanocyte layer. (1,2). Melanocytes are the deepest layer and are scattered among the basal cells. (Article Continues Below)

Overview: Basal cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer with 3 out of 4 cases being this type. Although it is the most common, it rarely ever spreads (metastasis) or leads to death. (5,6). In spite of it's rarity to lead to mortality, basal cell carcinoma can cause significant disfigurement since the tumors usually appear (75 to 85 percent of the time) on the face, head, and neck, which are the parts of the body most exposed to the Sun. (5,6). More specifically, "...basal cell carcinomas are more than four times more likely to occur at an embryonic fusion plane than at any other region of the midface area." (7)

The embryonic fusion planes form during embryonic development by the fusion (a merging or union of two or more features) of certain epithelial (internal membrane) features. These embryonic fusion planes (and areas most vulnerable to basal cell carcinoma development) include: preauricular and retroauricular areas (in front and directly behind the ear lobe), nasolabial fold, the canthus (corners of the eyes where the upper and lower eyelids meet), and the philtrum (vertical depression between the nose and upper lip). (10) [See Figs.3 below]. Other common locations for facial basal cell carcinoma is the nose, specifically the tip and nostril sides, as well as the back of the hands and forearms. (6)

Fig. 3,

Despite it's predilection to occur on the neck, face, and head, basal cell carcinomas also appear on the "upper trunk," which in simple term is everything from your belly button to your collar bone and shoulders, including your arms.(6,8,9) It's interesting to note that during our research, no mention was made of basal cell carcinoma nodules or ulcers appearing on the legs which can receive a lot of sunlight, burning and tanning for beach goers, water sports pleasure seekers and sunbathers.

Basal cell carcinoma also seems to strike older people in their 40s to 60s and older more than it does in younger people, however, the number of young people being diagnosed each year with basal cell carcinoma is increasing. (1,5,6,9,11)

Unlike, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, basal cell carcinoma develops slowly, and it's proclivity to appear on the face, head and neck, usually mean that it is easily detectable in it's earliest stages of development. If left untreated, basal cell carcinoma can reach quite a large size and cause significant damage leading to life-long scarring, and disfigurement. (11)

Statistics: Incidence rates and statistics of nonmelanoma and melanoma seem vary widely but according to the American Cancer Society, more than 2 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States of which basal cell carcinoma constitutes 80 percent. Additionally, an estimated 68,000 cases of melanoma were diagnosed in 2010. Nationwide, the number of skin cancer cases diagnosed in each state vary depending on climate features. For example, more skin cancer occurs in states like Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, Texas and California than in colder, northern states like Idaho, Michigan and Maine. The mortality rate for nonmelanoma skin cancer is about 3,100 deaths a year while melanoma leads to about 8,700 deaths a year. (6,9) It is estimated that three out of ten Caucasians could develop basal cell carcinoma in their lifetime.(13)

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