Definition & overview
[passmed] & [NICE]
� Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer.
� Aka Rodent ulcer
� Characterised by slow-growth and local invasion. Metastases are extremely rare.
Death is exceptionally rare.
� The most common type is nodular BCC:
○ Sun-exposed sites, especially the head and neck account for the majority
of lesions
○ Initially a pearly, flesh-coloured papule with telangiectasia
○ May later ulcerate leaving a central ‘crater’
Pathophysiology & relevant anatomy
(normal skin anatomy)
Aetiology (causes / RFs)
[almost a doctor] & [teach me surgery]
General RFs for skin cancers: (red = more specific to BCC)
� Age
� Sun bed use
� Fair skin
� Long-term UV exposure Hx of sunburn (sun exposure - accumulative lifetime
exposure)
○ Leads to genetic mutations in DNA (p53 tumour suppressor 9q22)
� Hx of living overseas / or in places with a lot of sun exposure (eg Australia)
� FHx
[passmed] & [NICE]
� Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer.
� Aka Rodent ulcer
� Characterised by slow-growth and local invasion. Metastases are extremely rare.
Death is exceptionally rare.
� The most common type is nodular BCC:
○ Sun-exposed sites, especially the head and neck account for the majority
of lesions
○ Initially a pearly, flesh-coloured papule with telangiectasia
○ May later ulcerate leaving a central ‘crater’
Pathophysiology & relevant anatomy
(normal skin anatomy)
Aetiology (causes / RFs)
[almost a doctor] & [teach me surgery]
General RFs for skin cancers: (red = more specific to BCC)
� Age
� Sun bed use
� Fair skin
� Long-term UV exposure Hx of sunburn (sun exposure - accumulative lifetime
exposure)
○ Leads to genetic mutations in DNA (p53 tumour suppressor 9q22)
� Hx of living overseas / or in places with a lot of sun exposure (eg Australia)
� FHx
