Diagnosis

Basal cell carcinoma

A slow-growing, nonmelanocytic epithelial skin cancer that arises from basal cells.

Also known as: Basal cell epithelioma, Basalioma, BCC

Etiology

Cause [3kc]

Pathophysiology

  1. Chronic sun exposure --> ultraviolet radiation --> DNA damage --> mutations

  2. Typically appear on sun-exposed skin (face/scalp)

  3. Rarely metastasize (0.028-0.55%)

Epidemiology

Incidence per 100.000 [3kc][he5][evi][9vt]

Epidemiology chart for Incidence

Symptoms & findings

Symptoms

None listed.

Clinical findings

None listed.

Anamneses

None listed.

Localized findings

Rash
Radiates
CaputCollumThoraxAbdomenGenitalArmBackLower body
Distribution
AsymmetricLocalizedPhotodistributedSingle
Lesion type
CrustErosionHyperpigmentationNodulePapulePlaqueScaleTelangiectasiaUlcer
Lesion surface
Keratotic
Color
BlueBrownRedWhite
Associated symptom
Bleeding

Approach

Treatment

  1. Surgical excision [3kc]

  2. Other therapies:

    • Mohs micrographic surgery

    • Radiation

    • Photodynamic therapy

    • Cryosurgery

    • Topical therapies: 5-fluorouracil and Imiquimod 5% cream

    • Systemic medications: Vismodegib

Differential diagnoses

Actinic keratosis, Angiofibroma, Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma, Eczema, Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus, Keratoacanthoma, Keratosis follicularis, Lichenoid keratosis, Malignant melanoma, Molluscum contagiosum, Nevus, Psoriasis, Sebaceous hyperplasia, Seborrheic keratosis, Squamous cell carcinoma, Tinea

References

[1] McDaniel B, Steele RB. Basal Cell Carcinoma. [Updated 2024 Mar 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482439/

[2] Shaowei Wu et al. Basal-Cell Carcinoma Incidence and Associated Risk Factors in US Women and Men, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 178, Issue 6, 15 September 2013, Pages 890–897.

[3] Omari et al. (2006). Skin cancer trends in northern Jordan. International journal of dermatology.

[4] Juszko-Piekut et al. Incidence of Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in the Inhabitants of the Upper Silesia, Poland. Highlights in Skin Cancer. InTech; 2013.

[5] http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/276624; [Medscape]

[6] Muzic et al. Incidence and Trends of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 2000 to 2010. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017 Jun;92(6):890-898.

Scroll to top