Introduction
The basal cell carcinoma (basal cell carcinoma, white skin cancer) is a malignant skin tumour which develops mainly due to the exposure to UV radiation over many years. Consequently, most basal cell carcinomas are located on those parts of the skin that are frequently exposed to direct sunlight: 80% of basal cell carcinomas develop in the area of the head, face and neck, only about 5% are described on the trunk or extremities. The basal cell carcinoma is often referred to as semimaligneous: This is because, unlike most other malignant tumours, it does not spread to other organs, i.e. does not form metastases. Nevertheless, it can grow locally very aggressively and damage the surrounding tissue. Various symptoms such as scaly patches, wound healing disorders and pain can develop.
The symptoms
Mostly basaliomas have the same colour as the surrounding skin and are therefore often not easy to detect. However, in almost all subgroups of the basal cell carcinoma a more or less pigmented basal cell carcinoma may occur, which then appears brownish to black and therefore often cannot be easily differentiated from malignant melanoma, the black skin cancer. Apart from the typical appearance on the skin, the basalioma in principle does not lead to any symptoms.
However, if it is already in an advanced stage and has spread into the depths, it may cause symptoms which can be explained by the damage to surrounding structures. For example, a basal cell carcinoma in the orbit of the eye, especially if it is the aggressive form of basal cell carcinoma terebrans, can result in loss of vision. However, since basaliomas do not form metastases, secondary symptoms are always restricted to the immediate vicinity of the tumour, and organs located further away are not affected.
Itching is a very unpleasant symptom of the skin and in the case of basal cell carcinoma is felt exactly at the affected skin area. The development of itching (pruritus) is not yet fully understood. An inflammatory reaction of the skin is suspected.
Special tissue hormones such as histamine, serotonin or kinin are released which act on the nerve endings of the skin and thus trigger itching. Due to the itching, which is sometimes stronger and sometimes weaker, there is a risk that the skin will be scratched. After scratching, the wound bleeds and can moisten before it scabs again.
The itching can be present throughout. However, since itching is not a leading symptom of basal cell carcinoma, it may be absent completely. .
Pain can also occur at the site of the basal cell carcinoma. In most cases this is a burning or exciting pain. The burning is caused by the inflammation of the skin.
If the basal cell carcinoma is scratched open, this can lead to a painful wound. Especially when the wound is touched, pain can develop. A basalioma can bleed again and again.
Especially over a longer period of time, bleeding and crusting of the wound can alternate. Therefore, if the wound has been in existence for more than three weeks and sometimes bleeds or wets and does not heal, you should always think of a basal cell carcinoma and have it examined by a doctor. As the basal cell carcinoma can also sometimes itch, a bleeding wound can occur even after scratching.
Basaliomas can look very different. On the one hand, there may be a reddish spot that becomes crusty or scaly. On the other hand, the basal cell carcinoma can also present itself as a red or light red knot.
Furthermore, there are more often superficially visible vessels at the edge of the basal cell carcinoma. These superficial vessels are also called telangiectasias. These can also give the basal cell carcinoma a reddish colour.
In addition, there may also be inflammation of the skin around the basal cell carcinoma, which leads to reddening of the surrounding skin. The incrustation of the surface of the basalioma is a typical symptom. This often alternates between weeping, bleeding and incrustation.
The area where the basal cell carcinoma is located does not heal and in the course of time the basal cell carcinoma grows deep and a wound develops again and again that encrusts the surface. If the basal cell carcinoma is scratched due to itching, it can bleed and subsequently become encrusted. .
The basalioma often presents itself as a scaly nodule. Under the initially skin-coloured scales, the basal cell carcinoma presents itself as a poorly healing wound. Since the basal cell carcinoma is a skin tumour that destroys the skin, this scaling can occur.
The uppermost layer of the cornea is shed. Later on, reddish scales can develop. White skin cancer?
