 |
Treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer
Author: peterhutch   | Posted: 10-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 50 | Rating: (254)  (?) 
Basal Cell Carcinoma is a very common type of skin disorders but is very dangerous also. Basal cell carcinomas enlarge slowly and steadily and can invade neighboring tissue, like the eye, but they usually do not spread to distant parts of the body (metastasize). Basal cell carcinomas are the result of sun damage to the skin.
Risk factors:
Age. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun's damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood in order to prevent skin cancer later in life.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation in tanning booths. Tanning booths are very popular, especially among adolescents, and they even let people who live in cold climates radiate their skin year-round.
Therapeutic radiation, such as that given for treating other forms of cancer.
Causes
Skin cancer is divided into two major groups: non-melanoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer, and is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 75% of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.
Arsenic exposure: Chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with BCC development. Exposure may be medicinal, occupational, or dietary.
Immunosuppression: Immunosuppression is associated with a modest increase in the risk of BCC.
Xeroderma pigmentosum: This autosomal-recessive disease predisposes people to rapid aging of exposed skin, starting with pigmentary changes and progressing to BCC.
Exams and Tests
Your doctor will check your skin and look at the size, shape, color, and texture of any suspicious areas.
If skin cancer is a possibility, a piece of skin will be removed from the area so that is can be examined under a microscope. This is called a skin biopsy. This must be done to confirm the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma or other skin cancers. There are many types of skin biopsies. The exact procedure depends on the location of the suspected skin cancer.
Treatment
Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs. If a melanoma has spread, chemotherapy can be used, but it is not usually effective. After a melanoma has spread, surgery and radiotherapy can be used on the secondary tumours. This will prolong life but it is not a cure. In the case of disease that has spread (metastasized) further surgical or chemotherapy may be required.
Mohs surgery: Mohs surgery (or Mohns micrographic surgery) is an outpatient procedure in which the tumor is surgically excised and then immediately examined under a microscope. The base and edges are microscopically examined to verify sufficient margins before the surgical repair of the site. If the margins are insufficient, more is removed from the patient until the margins are sufficient. Specially trained dermasurgeons do this procedure, usually in-office. Mohs surgery is the recommended procedure for basal cell carcinoma of the face, ears, hands, fingers, distal forearms, and distal lower extremities. Its use is also highly recommended for squamous cell carcinoma; however, the cure rate is not as high as Mohs surgery for basal cell carcinoma.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/treatment-for-basal-cell-carcinoma-skin-cancer-409647.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Health Articles
Getting To The Bottom Of Internal Hemorrhoids
By: Jose Rossello | 19/07/2008
Remedies for internal hemorrhoids ranges greatly: from surgery to medication, changes in diet, suppositories, natural herbal remedies or a combination of these. Hemorrhoid medications are designed to soothe the pain of the condition, shrink the swollen tissue and act as an anti-inflammatory.
Dental Cleanings: Why Semi-annual Dental Cleanings are Essential
By: David Siegel | 19/07/2008
Dental cleanings are essential to good dental health.
How To Lose Fat And Gain Muscle
By: Cliff Baker | 19/07/2008
The pace of life is getting faster for most of us. This is one of the reasons why fast food restaurants are popping up like mushrooms wherever you go. It's easy to opt for quicker food stops since no one really has time to cook and fix healthy meals. It may be a quick fix, but done everyday, all the bad stuff in fast food is going to creep up
Mold Exposure and Health Problems
By: Richard Barthallo | 19/07/2008
If you are one of the millions of people that do suffer from allergies, then you know how annoying and painful they can be. A large percentage of visits to the doctor are allergy related. A significant amount of money spent every year for over the counter and prescription remedies that will help to ease allergy sufferer's discomfort.
Twelve Qualities of Spirit - Health
By: Peri Enkin | 19/07/2008
When we think of health only in terms of the physical body we think too small. And when we think small we find ourselves trying to deal with "symptoms" and "conditions" at the surface level and not achieving the results we want.
Free Exercise to Make Your Penis Bigger
By: Tyler Williams | 19/07/2008
Do you know how to make your penis bigger naturally? You'll know once you read this article.
Where to Look for Arthritis Back Pain Relief Products
By: Scott Goodman | 19/07/2008
Arthritis is an illness that is mainly characterized by pain and swelling in the joints. The term arthritis is actually an umbrella term that includes more than 100 different conditions, all which are considered in some way as being a form of arthritis.
What is the Difference Between Fat and Carbohydrates (carbs)?
By: Ronald Godlewski | 19/07/2008
There are three primary macronutrients that are necessary to promote healthy life, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Carbohydrates and fats are two very different macronutrients, and your body requires different amounts of each in order to promote the right level of health.
More from peterhutch
Treatment for Frostbite
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Frostbite occurs when skin and other tissues are exposed to very cold temperatures. It can occur within minutes following exposure to extreme temperatures, or even in above-freezing temperatures if there is a strong wind (wind chill)
Travel to Buckingham Palace
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Destinations
Popularly known as "Buck House", has served as the Monarch`s permanent London residence since the accession of Queen Victoria. It began its days in 1702 as the Duke of Buckingham`s city residence, built on the site of a notorious brothel
Travel to Bahamas
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Destinations
Newcomers to The Islands of The Bahamas quickly realize that they have stumbled upon not one, but many destinations. Between the "poles" of Grand Bahamas and Great Inagua are 23 inhabited islands and thousands of unpopulated islets and cays (pronounced "keys")
Sunburn – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Skin Care
Sunburn is the result of not using proper skin protection while sunbathing or even from routine sun exposure. The skin becomes red, tender and swollen. You may have a stinging sensation and blistering may occur. Some people even get a low grade fever
How to Get Rid of Panic Attacks
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Panic attack is perhaps one of the most frightening experiences a person can go through. During a panic attack, the body reacts in a way similar to a "fight or flight" response.
How to Get Rid of Anxiety Attacks
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are episodes of intense panic or fear. Anxiety attacks usually occur suddenly and without warning. Sometimes there's an obvious trigger - getting stuck in an elevator
Home Remedies for Snoring
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Sleep
Snoring is noisy breathing during sleep that occurs when relaxed structures in the throat vibrate and make noise. Most snoring is harmless, though it can be a nuisance that interferes with the sleep of others
Irritable Bowl Syndrome
By: peterhutch | 18/07/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, as cancer
|
|
Health 
