Symptoms and Signs
Basal cell cancer usually arises in the facial area as a red spots, small pearly swellings, a nodule or a pale scar.
The following are the features of basal cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma:
- Basal cell cancer usually arises on the face in the area above a line joining the angle of the mouth and the ear lobe. (one theory proposes that it is more common in the embryonic fusion planes).
- It may be localized to an area or spread into deeper tissues.
- Superficial cancer appears as bright pink, shiny well defined red spots or small pearly swellings, a nodule or a pale scar. Stretching of the skin may make the lesion more obvious.
- Ulceration of the central part may occur with the edges appearing raised and rolled up.
A biopsy helps to diagnose the cancer.
The most common site for the Basal cell cancer is the face especially the nose (70%). But it may also occurs in other areas such as:
- Trunk - 25%
- Penis, vulva - 5%
