Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment Near Chattanooga

The board-certified dermatologists at Uderm specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of basal cell carcinoma. Dr. Jonathan Miller is among the few fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic and reconstructive surgeons in the region which is why many patients drive from Chattanooga, Nashville, and the surrounding areas for skin cancer treatment. If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and would like to discuss your treatment options at our dermatology clinic near Chattanooga, TN, please call (423) 206-2777 or request an appointment online.

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What is a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)?

A basal cell carcinoma, also called basal cell skin cancer, starts in the basal cell layer, the lower part of the skin’s epidermis.

How does a Basal Cell Carcinoma Form?

It starts in the top layer of skin (the epidermis), and is often related to sun exposure. These cancers are commonly found on the face, head, and neck.

Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer cells. Basal cell carcinoma starts in the lower part called the basal cell layer.

These cells constantly divide to form new cells to replace the cells that wear off the skin’s surface.

How Common is a Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed type of skin cancer.

The number of reported cases in the U.S. has steadily increased and according to skincancer.org, with an estimated 3.6 million Americans are diagnosed with BCC each year.

What does a Basal Cell Carcinoma Growth Look Like?

Not all growths look alike, that is why it is important to have frequent visits to your provider to check for suspicious spots or growths.

Basal cell carcinomas may appear to have:

• Open sores
• Red patch
• Pink growths
• Shiny bumps
• Scars
• Growths
• Slightly elevated
• Rolled edges
• A central indentation
• May ooze, crust, itch, or bleed

Although BCC is most common in people who have fair skin, people of all colors get this skin cancer.

Why is it Important to get a Basal Cell Carcinoma Examined?

Although these types of growths rarely spread beyond the original tumor site, the legions can grow and become disfiguring and dangerous.

Untreated BCCs can:

• Become locally invasive
• Grow wide and deep into the skin
• Destroy skin, tissue, and bone
• More likely to recur

It is very rare that BCC can become life-threatening or spread to other parts of the body, but there are some instances. It is always best to get something examined and looked at to avoid more serious complications.

Where is Basal Cell Carcinoma Found?

These cancers are most often found in areas exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, and arms, but they also can occur elsewhere. They are very common but are also usually very treatable.

They can look very different from one patient to the other but usually change over time.

How is Basal Cell Carcinoma Treated?

When possible, BCC is treated by a straightforward surgical procedure. This is the case if you have early BCC, and can even be done while you remain awake.

The following ways help to treat BCC:

• Excision – During this, your provider cuts skin cancer and an area of normal-looking skin around it to remove stray cancer cells. The cells are analyzed under a microscope to make sure the tissue from the normal skin does not contain any cancer cells.
• Mohs Surgery – If removing an area of skin is needed in sensitive areas, you may be a candidate for Mohs surgery, which eliminates the need to remove an area of normal-looking skin.
• Curettage and electrodesiccation – This is a technique of scraping the cancer from your skin and then destroying the remaining cancer cells with heat. This is usually for cancers on the body, arm, or leg.
• Freezing therapy – Involves spraying a cold substance to destroy the tumor.
• Light therapy – Involves photodynamic therapy where your area of concern gets a solution that is sensitive to light and then you sit with the solution for an extended period of time to kill cancer.
• Medications – If your provider wishes to treat cancer with medication, this can be done before another procedure to help kill the BCC.