| Disease | Injury | Nutrition | Poison |
| Special Topic | Surgery | Symptoms | Test |
| |
| Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention |
Basal cell carcinoma |
| Alternative Names: |
| Rodent ulcer; Skin cancer - basal cell; Cancer - skin - basal cell
|
| Treatment: |
| Treatment varies depending on the size, depth, and location of the cancer. The carcinoma is removed using one of these procedures:
|
| Expectations (prognosis): |
| Early treatment by a dermatologist may result in a cure rate of more than 95%. New sites of basal cell cancer can occur, so monitoring should be diligent. Regular examination by a health care provider is required.
|
| Complications: |
A complication of basal cell cancer is an invasion of adjacent tissues or structures, causing damage to their appearance and function. This is most worrisome around the nose, eyes, and ears. |
| Calling your health care provider: |
| Call your health care provider if any change occurs in the color, size, texture, or appearance of a skin lesion. Call your health care provider if pain, inflammation, bleeding, or itching occur in an existing skin lesion. |
Reviewed By: Jeffrey Drayer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
