Basal Cell Carcinoma Flashcards
Defintion
COMMONEST form of skin malignancy, also known as a rodent ulcer
Aetiology
Caused by damage and subsequent DNA changes to the basal cells in the outermost layer of skin
Risk factors
· MAIN RISK FACTOR: prolonged sun exposure or UV radiation
· Seen in Gorlin’s syndrome
· Other risk factors:
o Photosensitising pitch
o Tar
o Arsenic
Epidemiology
· COMMON in those with FAIR SKIN · Common in areas of high sunlight exposure · Common in the elderly · Rare before the age of 40 yrs · Lifetime risk in Caucasians = 1 in 3
Presenting symptoms
· A chronic slowly progressive skin lesion
· Usually found on the: o FACE o Scalp o Ears o Trunk
Signs on physical examination
· Nodulo-ulcerative (MOST COMMON)
o Small glistening translucent skin over a coloured papule
o Slowly enlarges
o Central ulcer with raised pearly edges
o Fine telangiectasia over the tumour surface
o Cystic change in larger lesions
· Morphoeic
o Expanding
o Yellow/white waxy plaque with an ill-defined edge
o More aggressive than nodulo-ulcerative
· Superficial
o Most often on trunk
o Multiple pink/brown scaly plaques with a fine edge expanding slowly
· Pigmented
o Specks of brown or black pigment may be present in any BCC
Investigations
· Biopsy is RARELY necessary
· Diagnosis is mainly on clinical suspicion