Where do basaliomas frequently occur?

Basaliomas (“white skin cancer“) can also develop on the eye. Like the nose and ears, the eyes are skin areas that are often and especially over a longer period of time exposed to sunlight and thus UV light, as they are not covered by protective clothing. Therefore, they are exposed to a higher risk of developing basaliomas.

In the area of the eye, the eyelids are most affected. Since the symptoms are very unspecific, basalioma is usually only discovered through cosmetic changes, such as skin irregularities on the surface of the eyelids. The change of the skin is not painful, but if the eyelid is affected it can lead to a slowly developing impairment of the eye’s movement.

This can lead to a restriction of the field of vision and above all to a reduction of the visual acuity. Patients usually complain that it is no longer possible for them to close the affected eye completely and often a steadily increasing swelling develops, which in turn can also lead to a reduction in vision. The removal of a basal cell carcinoma of the eye is not always possible through surgery.

If the eyelid is affected, the eyelid may have to be reconstructed with a skin flap after surgical removal to ensure that the eye can be closed. In the case of larger findings that show a bad position, one tries to eliminate the basal cell carcinoma by local creams with subsequent irradiation or by icing (cryotherapy). However, surgical removal is still the gold standard.

Basal cell carcinomas occur mainly on the face and in the head and neck area, as these parts of the body are particularly easily accessible to UV radiation from the sun. Approximately 80% of all basaliomas are located in the face and the area from the corners of the mouth to high up to the forehead is particularly frequently affected. However, basal cell carcinomas are also found on the eyes, ears, neck and head.

Patients aged 60 and 70 years are particularly affected, as the tumour develops very slowly after initial skin damage caused by UV radiation or certain pollutants. In addition to cosmetic damage, considerable complications can arise, especially in the facial area. Functional limitations, proliferating open areas and nerve injuries can occur, which can lead to paralysis or failure symptoms.

In the case of surgical removal, skin reconstructions may be necessary, which can result in large scars, wound healing disorders and cosmetic blemishes. The nose is very often affected by a basal cell carcinoma. Often the nostrils, the bridge or even the tip of the nose are affected.

A nodular tumour forms, which is surrounded by a raised rim. There are also basaliomas that grow ulcer-like or those that appear scar-like and have a rim that looks like a string of pearls. The most important factor responsible for the development of a basal cell carcinoma of the nose is a long-term high exposure of the skin to the UV radiation of the sun.

People who spend long periods of time in areas with intensive sun radiation are particularly affected, and staying in a solarium is also said to promote the development. Since the tumour can also affect the deep-lying tissues, as well as cartilage and bone structures of the nose, the diseased tumour tissue should be surgically removed early on to prevent greater damage. Possible complications of the basal cell carcinoma of the nose can be, for example, the loss of the ability to smell or infections that develop at the base of the tumour and can spread to the surrounding structures or the whole body.

As skin appendages, the ears are not only exposed to the cold, but also to sunlight. The long and intensive exposure of the skin to UV radiation leads to the degeneration of the basal cell layer of the epidermis. In the area of the ears, most basaliomas are located at the auricle or in front of the ear.

The basaliomas at the auricle account for approximately 15% of the total number of basaliomas occurring. Skin alterations develop, which appear nodular and have a glassy surface. Small blood vessels (telangiectasias) form at the edges and start bleeding easily.

If the degenerated cells grow further into the depth, considerable damage to the cartilage in the area of the auricle can occur. The cartilage is decomposed by the infestation and its structure is destroyed. Large-scale inflammatory processes can develop as complications. Since some important nerves run in the area of the auricle, which are important for the innervation of certain areas of history, this can lead to failures and also to damage of these. Early treatment is important because the cartilage structures in the auricle can be affected and decompose particularly quickly.