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Skin Cancer Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is not only the most common type of skin cancer, it is also the most common malignancy in humans. Like melanoma, it is more common in fair skin types, but unlike melanoma, it rarely metastasizes.

The most common presenting complaint is a bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and recurs.

Basal cell carcinomas tend to occur on the sun exposed areas of the head and neck, including the nose, ears and scalp. Rarely, a basal cell carcinoma will occur within a scar or other areas of trauma. Unfortunately, in the past there was a tendency to regard BCC as nonmalignant because the tumor rarely metastasizes. BCC advances by direct extension and destroys normal tissue. Left untreated or inadequately treated, the cancer can destroy the whole side of the face or penetrate subcutaneous tissue into the bone and brain. BCC occurs in many different clinical forms.