White skin cancer: the most common form of skin cancer
Black skin cancer (malignant melanoma) is the most dangerous form of malignant skin tumor. However, “white skin cancer” is much more common: basal cell cancer and spiny cell cancer. In 2016, around 230,000 people in Germany were newly diagnosed with white skin cancer. For 2020, experts from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) forecast 265,000 new cases (120,000 in women and 145,000 in men).
Basal cell cancer accounts for around three quarters of all cases of white skin cancer. This makes it by far the most common form of skin cancer.
The incidence of both black and white skin cancer has risen sharply in recent years.
White skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (basal cell cancer, old name: basal cell carcinoma) develops from cells in the so-called basal cell layer of the skin and the root sheaths of the hair follicles. It can develop anywhere on the body. However, 70 to 80 percent of all basal cell carcinomas occur in the head and neck area. The “sun terraces” such as the nose, lips or forehead are particularly often affected. Basal cell carcinomas also frequently form on the neck and hands, less frequently on the legs.
Basal cell cancer: Symptoms
Basal cell cancer takes many forms. It usually develops in the form of initially waxy, skin-colored to reddish nodular tumors. These often form a cord-like rim and can bleed from time to time. This widespread form of white skin cancer is called nodular basal cell cancer. However, there are other forms. Some look more like scar tissue or are red or darkly pigmented.
It is important to know that there is no precancerous stage of basal cell carcinoma. Even the first signs represent a cancerous tumor that must be removed.
In most patients (80 percent), basal cell carcinomas are found on the so-called sun terraces – on the face between the hairline and upper lip. However, other parts of the body can also be affected, for example the outer ear, the lower lip, the hairy scalp or – more rarely – the trunk and extremities.
You can read more about the appearance and location of basal cell carcinomas under Skin cancer: symptoms.
Basal cell carcinoma: Treatment
Basal cell carcinoma is usually operated on. The surgeon attempts to remove the tumor completely, together with a margin of healthy tissue.
Doctors sometimes choose to treat large, superficial basal cell cancer with the active ingredient imiquimod – especially if surgery is not possible. Imiquimod is a so-called immunomodulator that stimulates the immune system’s response to the tumor cells. It is applied as a cream several times a week for six weeks.
Another option for this type of white skin cancer is a special light treatment – photodynamic therapy: the cancerous tumor is first made more sensitive to light with a special ointment and then irradiated with intense light.
You can read more about this and other therapies for basal cell carcinoma under Skin cancer: Treatment.
Basal cell carcinoma: chances of recovery
Basal cell carcinoma very rarely forms metastases. Doctors therefore also refer to this type of white skin cancer as “semi-malignant”. If diagnosed in good time, basal cell cancer is curable in the vast majority of cases (up to 95 percent). Surgery is the most promising form of treatment. Deaths are very rare in basal cell cancer (around one in 1,000 patients).
Basal cell carcinoma: prevention
If you want to prevent this type of white skin cancer, you should first and foremost protect your skin from too much UV light. Basal cell carcinoma – like spinalioma – is mainly caused by excessive UV radiation of the skin (sun, solarium). White skin cancer of both types can therefore be prevented primarily through consistent UV protection: Avoid direct sunlight (especially at midday). Also protect your skin with suitable sun creams and textiles. People with light skin types in particular should adhere to this, as they are at a higher risk of skin cancer.
In addition to UV light, a genetic predisposition and some hereditary diseases can also promote the development of basal cell cancer. Prevention is not possible here. Another risk factor is various substances and chemicals such as arsenic. If possible, these should be avoided to prevent basal cell carcinoma.
White skin cancer: spinalioma
Spinalioma (spiny cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma) is the second most common form of skin cancer with around 98,000 new cases per year. Men are affected slightly more frequently than women. On average, patients are around 70 years old.
White skin cancer of the spinalioma type grows quite aggressively. If left untreated, it gradually destroys the surrounding tissue. At an advanced stage, spinalioma can form metastases in other parts of the body. Early treatment is therefore even more important here than with basal cell carcinoma.
You can read more about this type of skin cancer in the article Squamous cell carcinoma.
