Treatment of a basal cell carcinoma of the face

There are various options for the treatment of a basal cell carcinoma of the face. These depend on the size and location of the basal cell carcinoma and the condition of the patient. The most common and successful method is to surgically remove the basal cell carcinoma under local anaesthetic.

Here the probability of the basal cell carcinoma returning is lowest. In this case, after removal of the affected skin area, a tissue sample is taken from the marginal area and examined under the microscope to make sure that no tumour cells remain there. If the basal cell carcinoma is too large to be removed surgically, or if surgery is not possible or too risky due to the patient’s age or previous illness, patients can be treated with soft X-rays (see: Radiotherapy) or the basal cell carcinoma can be combated by icing (cryotherapy).

Even if the location of the basal cell carcinoma is unfavourable for an operation, such as on the eyelid, other forms of therapy are preferred. Photodynamic therapy is another treatment option. Here, light-sensitive substances are introduced into the tumour tissue and these cells are then destroyed by light irradiation.

Creams can also lead to healing. There are creams with the active substance Imiquimod which can be applied regularly for several weeks in the case of superficial basal cell carcinomas. Local chemotherapy using a cream can be used for superficial basal cell carcinomas.

This contains the active substance 5-fluorouracil. This cream should also be applied for several weeks to help the basal cell carcinoma to regress. Which scars appear after the removal of a basal cell carcinoma in the face depends on the location and the extent of the tumour that is removed.

Often the spread of the basal cell carcinoma cannot be clearly identified in advance because the tumour does not always clearly separate from the healthy skin. If a basal cell carcinoma in the face is still very small and is removed in time, there is usually only a very small scar. With larger growths, a larger part of the skin must also be cut out and clearly visible scars may remain.

If a basal cell carcinoma is detected or treated at a very late stage, its spread in the face may have progressed so far that a large defect develops after removal. This must be covered by a procedure to cover the defect, such as by transplanting skin from other parts of the body. In the worst case, after the removal of a basal cell carcinoma, a scar will remain which will disfigure the face.

The same applies if the tumour has grown very deep and tissue may have to be removed from there as well. Therefore, in the case of a basalioma, one should not wait too long before having it removed. This could also be interesting for you: Scar Care