Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma

by | Nov 26, 2017

BCCs are high yield knowledge for exams, and clinical practice. Likely to be encountered in KFP or AKT as a picture -> direct features kind of problem. Its worth being able to recognise appearance and qualitiatively describe.

 

Risk Factors for Basal Cell Carcinoma

  • Age and gender: BCCs are particularly prevalent in elderly males.
  • Previous BCC
  • Previous skin cancers
  • Sun damage
  • Repeated prior episodes of sunburn
  • Fair skin, blue eyes and blond or red hair
  • Previous cutaneous injury
  • Previous thermal burn
  • Ionising radiation
  • Exposure to arsenic
  • Immunosuppression

 

Features on History of Basal Cell Carcinoma

  • Slow growing
  • Males
  • Age

 

Features of Examination in BCC

  • On skin exposed areas
  • pearly nodular appearance
  • Raised edges
  • Pearly edge
  • Locally invasive
  • Can spread deeply ifin face

 

Management of BCC

  • Elliptical excision with 3-4 mm margin
  • Radiotherapy in the frail
  • Photodynamoc therapy for nodular and superficial
  • Cryotherapy for histo confirmed well defined tumours away from head and neck
  • Imiquamod for superficil BCC
  • Biopsy with shave not a punch