Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCs) are the most common skin cancer accounting for approximately 70% of all skin cancers treated in Australia.
On average nearly 50% of Australians will develop one of these type of skin cancer. BCCs are least aggressive of all the types of skin cancer. They arise from cells in the lower part (basal layer) of the top layer of the skin (epidermis) and usually grow slowly.
BCCs are most common on the face, head, neck and trunk regions.
There are 3 main types of BCCs:
- Superficial BCCs which can appear as a red, scaly patch
- Nodular BCCs usually appear as a non-healing pimple like lump, which may intermittently bleed, form an ulcer or scab
- Morphoeic or infliltrating BCCs, the least common type, which can be subtle and appear as a scar-like or shiny plaque on the skin.
BCCs are locally destructive but are generally easily treated in their early stages. If left untreated they can grow and destroy adjoining structures causing pain, ulceration or bleeding. BCCS they rarely spread throughout the body (metastasise).