Definition
The basal cell carcinoma is also known as basal cell cancer and is a semi-malignant tumour of the basal cells of the skin. It is a tumour that can metastasise, but does so only to a small extent. The metastasis rate is 0.03% of the cases.
Appearance
The basal cell carcinoma occurs mainly on parts of the body that are particularly exposed to sunlight, such as the face, especially the nose or the ears. Basal cell carcinomas occur mainly in patients in the 6th and 7th decade of life. Basaliomas account for approx.
2/3 of all skin cancers, whereby in Germany approx. 170,000 new cases per year can be expected. The frequency within a population depends on the intensity of the sunlight in the respective country, e.g. in Australia 250 out of 100,000 inhabitants fall ill, in Central Europe on average only 30 out of 100,000 inhabitants.
An undisputed risk factor for the occurrence of a basal cell carcinoma is thus a continuous UV exposure of the skin, whereas frequent sunburns are more likely to cause other types of skin cancer. Basaliomas can be distinguished from benign skin tumours such as keratoacanthoma by their very slow growth over years. At first the basal cell carcinoma appears as a rough, skin-coloured nodule the size of a pinhead.
A differential diagnostic feature is a pearl-like border wall, as well as newly formed small vessels (telangiectasias) that grow into the tumor to nourish it. This can cause the tumour to have a reddish shimmer. Basically, eight different forms of basal cell carcinoma are distinguished, the name of which describes their composition and growth pattern.
For example, a distinction is made between pigmented (dark) basal cell carcinoma, which can easily be confused with malignant melanoma, and infiltrative scleroderma basal cell carcinoma, which appears whitish yellow. If the basal cell carcinoma is a real ulcer or even disintegrates and grows inwards, this indicates an advanced stage of cancer. A basalioma does not cause pain or itching.
Since the basal cell carcinoma almost never (only in approx. 0.03% of patients) forms metastases in other organs, this cancer can in most cases be cured by surgical removal. The prognosis is therefore generally good.
Although the basal cell carcinoma almost never forms metastases, early detection and removal is of great importance. The reason for this is the infiltrative, destructive (destructive) growth of the tumour, which can then grow into mucous membranes, cartilage and even bone. If this is the case, the removal of the tumour is much more complicated and can be accompanied by severe disfigurement, as the basal cell carcinoma is largely located in the facial region. The occurrence of a basal cell carcinoma in the area of the eye is accompanied by complications. If this is a destructive (destructive) growing basalioma (Basilioma terebrand), the tumour can grow into the eye socket and in the worst case can lead to loss of vision.
