Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is a low-level skin cancer than mainly grows like "roots of a tree" rather than moving and metastasizing throughout the body. These tumors are due to chronic sun exposure over years and tend to simply be locally destructive in the skin surrounding the tumor.
The two main types of basal cell skin cancer are:
1. Superficial
Basal Cell Carcinoma - the cancer is only in the very top layer of the skin
2. Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma - the cancer has dove down to the second layer of the skin
You have a type of:
_____ Superficial BCC Location:
_____ Nodular BCC
Your treatment options include the following:
Superficial BCC:
-using a cream such as Aldara or Efudex once or twice a day for 6 weeks, and
then returning for evaluation; you may then have to undergo another 6 weeks of
treatment as determined by your physician
-the
cure rate is approximately 90-93%
-electrodessication and curettage (ED&C ) where the area is scraped and
burnt 3 times
-the
cure rate is approximately 80-90%
-surgery where normal skin around the area is removed - it leaves a circle or
line scar that may stretch or get discolored
-the
cure rate is 100%
-doing nothing - the risk is that the lesion may or may not return, and may
require surgery in the future with risk of increased scarring and disfigurement
Nodular BCC:
-using a cream such as Aldara or Efudex once or twice a day for 6 weeks, and
then returning for evaluation; you may then have to undergo another 6 weeks of
treatment as determined by your physician
-the
cure rate is approximately 50-70%
-electrodessication and curettage (ED&C ) where the area is scraped and
burnt 3 times
-the
cure rate is approximately 70-80%
-surgery where normal skin around the area is removed - it leaves a circle or
line scar that may stretch or get discolored
-the
cure rate is 96-100%
-Mohs surgery where the cancer is verified as totally removed before thewound
is sutured closed
-the
cure rate is 96-100%; the advantage is that less total skin may be removed
-doing nothing - the risk is that the lesion may or may not return, and may
require surgery in the future with risk of increased scarring and disfigurement
Your doctor recommends the following for the type of BCC that you have:
YOU MUST CALL US WITH YOUR DECISION AT 818.244.7281 AND CONFIRM WITH A MEDICAL ASSISTANT.
____ Aldara cream everyday to the affected lesion for 6 weeks; call us forthe
prescription and make an appointment for re-evaluation in six weeks
____ Surgery with margins to
ensure removal; call to make a 45 minute surgery appointment
____ Mohs Surgery; a referral will be placed. You will receive a letter 5 days
after the referral is placed and must call that physician's office to schedule
a consult for the surgery
____ ED&C
The decision is YOURS and yours alone. Please call us with your decision. This
first letter was made in an attempt to save you an extra office visit to
discuss your options.
Don Mehrabi MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, Certified by the American Board of Dermatology
Los Angeles, California
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© Physician's Skincare Group, LLC. 2006. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be reproduced, published, or distributed in any form without express written consent of DermZone.com. DermZone.com does not assume any financial, legal, or medical liability for any content on this site. Please review any condition or treatment plan with your physician.