Basal cell carcinoma (Basalioma, BCC)

Last updated on May 11, 2025

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as Basalioma, is the most common type of skin cancer. It’s also the most frequently occurring cancer overall.

In the United States alone, an estimated 3.6 million cases are diagnosed each year.

It appears as abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the outermost layer of the skin. The tumor grows slowly and only on the skin, and it almost never grows beyond the original tumor site.

This cancer is usually caused by a combination of cumulative and intense, occasional sun exposure. People who use tanning beds have a much higher risk of getting this skin cancer and tend to get it earlier in life. It also particularly affects fair-skinned people who have had high levels of UV and sunlight exposure.

kin lesion on the shin with a raised, brown appearance, potentially basal cell carcinoma

Other forms of skin cancer: Squamous cell carcinoma

Symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma is generally found on exposed skin areas, especially on the face, but also on the trunk and limbs. The affected areas often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars. It is often fragile and might bleed after shaving or after a minor injury.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the face with a persistent scab

Here are the main forms of this skin cancer:

Nodular basal cell carcinoma

Most common. Well-defined, solid, a shiny facial lesion with prominent blood vessels which may bleed easily.

Superficial basal cell carcinoma

Persistent red patch of skin that may bleed easily. Often found on the trunk.

Morphoeic basal cell carcinoma

Less common. May look like scarred skin and share features of nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma. Most often found /skin-cancer/ the face.

Red, raised lesion on the wrist, measuring 3 to 4 mm in diameter, which could be indicative of basal cell carcinoma (also known as basal skin cancer). BCC often presents as a red, raised lesion on the skin and can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common sites are sun-exposed areas such as the face and arms.

The typical lesions to watch out for include:

• Shiny, pink or translucent bumps, or pearly nodules, sometimes containing dark spots or appearing black, blue, or brown.
• Pink-colored growths with raised edges and a central indentation, often featuring irregular blood vessels resembling a spoke-wheel pattern.
• Areas that look pale or yellowish, similar to a scar.
• Elevated red patches on the skin.
• Sores that ooze, crust over, scale, and do not heal over time.

It’s easier to treat basal cell carcinoma if identified early on. Keep an eye on! Consult a board-certified dermatologist online for a quick, professional evaluation.

What can I do?

Avoiding excessive sun exposure is the best way to prevent basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

• Protective Clothing: Wear a sun hat and clothing to shield your skin from the sun.
• Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) to exposed areas such as the face and hands. Consult a pharmacist to select the best sunscreen for your skin type.
• Skin Monitoring: Regularly check your skin and moles for any changes. If you notice a skin lesion that has grown or changed in appearance, contact your healthcare provider promptly. Early detection is crucial as untreated BCC can grow deeper and potentially lead to more severe skin cancer.

Should I seek medical care?

The best way to reduce the risk of basal cell cancer is to avoid being burned by the sun. You can limit your skin’s exposure to the sun by being in the shade, covering with clothes or using sunscreen.

Examine your skin often. If you find new nodules, blushing changes or ulcers on your skin that do not heal on its own, you should seek medical care. These lesions should always be examined more closely. In many cases, they are benign, but it is important to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.

A red, raised lesion on your skin can be alarming. If you’re worried it might be skin cancer, get a professional opinion without delay. Get Quick Dermatology Advice Online!

Treatment

Excision

Your dermatologist can usually perform an excision during an office visit. The procedure involves numbing the affected area and cutting out the tumor and skin around it. The doctor then looks at the removed skin and examine if the surrounding skin is free of cancer cells. More skin may be removed if the biopsy suggests otherwise.

Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is specialized surgery with the highest cure rate for difficult-to-treat squamous cell cancers. The surgeons cut out the tumor and a small amount of surrounding normal-looking skin. The surgeon then examines the removal under a microscope and continue remove very small amount of skin until no cancer cells is examined.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze cancer cells, causing the cells to die.

Other treatments include radiation, medicated creams, pills, photodynamic therapy and curettage and electrodesiccation.