Prophylaxis
Basal cell carcinomas can be prevented by reducing sun exposure and using sun creams with a high sun protection factor. Especially when you are on holiday in southern countries you should be careful, as the sun shines more intensively here than in our country. In addition, the sunlight is reflected by water, so that staying at the beach or the swimming pool is a risk.
The frequent and intensive sunburn must be avoided. A self-examination can also be helpful. You should pay attention to changes and new phenomena, observe them and if the skin injuries do not heal, you should become clairaudient. In these cases you should consult a dermatologist (doctor for dermatology). He can provide certainty.
Forecast
The prognosis is usually good. As these skin tumours are malignant, i.e. they grow destructively deep into the skin, but almost never spread, they can usually be removed easily. In more than 90 % of the patients the further course of the disease is favourable.
If the tumour can be detected early and surgically removed at an early stage, there is a chance of complete healing, as only about 0.3% of patients develop metastases in other organs. The removal itself can cause problems if a basal cell carcinoma lies, for example, in the corner of the eye or directly on the eye, i.e. a place that is difficult to access. This is the most common malignant tumour of the eyelid.
Particularly important is the follow-up examination, which should be carried out at regular intervals by the dermatologist. If the tumour has been removed by surgery, tumour-like changes, so-called recurrences, can occur again in the area of the scar, but also in other places. As a rule, these new formations occur within the first three years after treatment of the first tumour.
If the treatment is carried out in late stages, serious complications can occur. The tumour grows into the deeper tissue layers and attacks and destroys the surrounding bone and cartilage structures. As a result, the basal cell carcinoma of the head can be accompanied by complicated and severe disfigurement of the facial structures, and in rare cases it can lead to the attack and injury of vital structures, especially in the area of the head and neck.
Normally, however, 95 percent of patients can be cured. The basal cell carcinoma, also known as light skin cancer, grows locally (locally limited) and destroys the skin structure here. A positive feature of this type of tumour is that it almost never metastasises (sets daughter tumours).
A spreading of its tumour cells into other organs or tissues therefore almost never happens. This is why it is also called semi-malignant, i.e. semi-malignant. It occurs mainly on the face and in sun-exposed areas of the skin.
Inhabitants of southern countries are more frequently affected than people in northern Europe. The sun’s radiation therefore plays an important role. Basaliomas develop – as the name suggests – from the basal cells of the epidermis.
Normally, these cornify on the surface. In basaliomas, however, they divide further. The manifestations of the tumour are manifold.
Nodules are formed which grow deep into the skin. Over time, however, bleeding wounds can also occur. Samples are taken to confirm the diagnosis.
The basal cell carcinoma is then removed using various methods. In addition to surgery, i.e. cutting out the tumour, radiotherapy etc. can also be used.
About 80 percent of basaliomas are located in the face. The area from an imaginary horizontal line along the angles of the wound to the forehead – the area around the eyes is left out – is most frequently affected. Prevention can be achieved by avoiding intense sunlight.
You should also check yourself from time to time for skin changes. If you have suspicious skin changes, please consult a doctor.
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