RISK FACTORS FOR BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
Risk factors for developing Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) include:
A. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun
B. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the tanning lamps
C. Exposure to arsenic
D. Inherited diseases like:
1. Gorlin-Goltz syndrome which is characterized by:
a. Multiple BCCs
b. Pitting of the palms and soles
c. Cataracts in the eyes
d. Abnormalities of the spine and ribs
e. Cysts in the jaws
f. Deposition of calcium in a part of the brain known as the falx cerebri
2. Xeroderma pigmentosum which is characterized by:
a. Significant freckling in children younger than 2 years
b. Photosensitivity
c. Dry skin
d. Tumors of the eyes
e. Develoopent of skin cancers like BCCs in children who are as young as 8 years
f. Poikiloderma
3. Albinism which is characterized by reduction or absence of melanin from the skin from birth.
SYMPTOMS OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
Symptoms of BCC include:
1. Pearly swellings
Pearly or shiny, translucent swellings which can be pink, red or white in color are common symptoms of nodular basal cell carcinoma.
2. Colored swellings
Swellings which are blue, brown, grey or black in color are some of the symptoms of pigmented basal cell carcinoma.
3. Swellings with rolled borders
Swellings with raised and rolled borders surrounding a crater are typical of the classic rodent ulcer.
4. Patches
Flat patches and plaques which can be scaly and crusted are some of the symptoms of superficial basal cell carcinoma.
These patches can also be asymptomatic. This means they can cause no problems and just look like a patch of skin which needs a good moisturizer. They are also mistaken for eczema psoriasis lesions.
5. Scars
Scar-like areas which can be flat or depressed some of the symptoms of morpheaform basal cell carcinoma.
These scar-like parches have poorly defined margins unlike the superficial BCC patches which have well defined margins.
