How serious is nodular basal cell carcinoma?

How dangerous is BCC? While BCCs rarely spread beyond the original tumor site, if allowed to grow, these lesions can be disfiguring and dangerous. Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin and destroy skin, tissue and bone.

What is an ulcerated nodular basal cell carcinoma?

Nodular basal cell carcinoma comprises about 60-80% of the cases and occurs most often on the skin of the head. Clinically it is presented by elevated, exophytic pearl-shaped nodules with telangiectasie on the surface and periphery [Figure 1]. Subsequently, nodular BCC can extend into ulcerative or cystic pattern.

What is the difference between nodular and micronodular basal cell carcinoma?

Micronodular basal cell carcinoma is thought to have a greater potential for clinically surreptitious tumor spread compared with the majority of basal cell carcinomas that are nodular. They also have wider and deeper tumor extensions than nodular basal cell carcinomas of similar clinical size.

What causes infiltrative basal cell carcinoma?

The most prevalent risk factor contributing to the development of BCCs is sun exposure, and people with light skin phototypes are at higher risk. Intermittent sun exposure is more associated with the development of BCCs than cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

Should I be worried if I have basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer that grows on parts of your skin that get a lot of sun. It’s natural to feel worried when your doctor tells you that you have it, but keep in mind that it’s the least risky type of skin cancer. As long as you catch it early, you can be cured.

How fast does nodular basal cell carcinoma grow?

The tumors enlarge very slowly, sometimes so slowly that they go unnoticed as new growths. However, the growth rate varies greatly from tumor to tumor, with some growing as much as ½ inch (about 1 centimeter) in a year. Basal cell carcinomas rarely spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Is nodular BCC aggressive?

Superficial and nodular BCC subtypes behave with relatively indolent malignant behaviour. More aggressive BCC subtypes include micronodular, infiltrating, morphoeic or sclerosing, and BCC with squamous differentiation—these aggressive subtypes were assessed combined as “aggressive subtype,” in this study.

Is nodular basal cell carcinoma aggressive?

It is common for BCCs to show mixed histologic patterns of these various types. Even the less invasive variants may invade deeply when located in regions of embryonic fusion planes, such as around the nose and ears. BCC can be locally aggressive but metastasis is rare, with rates ranging from 0.003% to 0.55%.

How aggressive is infiltrative basal cell carcinoma?

Infiltrating basal cell carcinomas can be more aggressive and locally destructive than other types of basal cell carcinoma. They can invade more deeply and widely than may first be evident by the superficial appearance of the skin cancer.

Is infiltrative BCC malignant?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the skin and is also the most common human malignancy….Table 1.