Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, and in sunny places like South Florida it is especially common. The good news is that it grows slowly, rarely spreads and is very treatable, especially when it is found early.
If you have a spot that bleeds, will not heal or keeps coming back, it deserves a look. Here is what basal cell carcinoma looks like, how it is diagnosed, and how we treat it at our Palm Beach Gardens office.
Key takeaways
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, and it is linked to sun exposure.
- It often looks like a shiny bump, a pink patch or a sore that does not heal.
- A quick in-office biopsy confirms the diagnosis.
- Treatment is usually highly successful, and many cases can be treated in the office.
- People who have had one BCC are more likely to have another, so regular skin checks matter.
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma starts in the basal cells in the lowest part of the top layer of skin. Years of ultraviolet exposure damage these cells until they begin to grow abnormally. BCC grows slowly and very rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it can grow deeper and wider if left untreated, damaging skin and tissue around it, especially on the face.
What basal cell carcinoma looks like
BCC can take several forms. Watch for:
- A pearly or shiny bump, often pink, skin-colored or translucent, sometimes with tiny visible blood vessels
- A sore that bleeds, crusts and heals, then comes back
- A pink or red scaly patch, especially on the chest, back or shoulders
- A flat, firm, pale or waxy area that looks like a scar
- A bump with a rolled edge and a sunken center
In darker skin, BCC may look brown or black, which can make it easy to mistake for a mole.
The most common locations are the face, especially the nose, ears, cheeks and forehead, plus the scalp, neck, shoulders and back. Our page on basal and squamous cell carcinoma has more.
Who is at higher risk?
- Fair skin, light eyes, red or blond hair
- Years of sun exposure or a history of sunburns
- Tanning bed use
- Age over 50, though younger people get BCC too
- A previous skin cancer
- A weakened immune system
- Previous radiation treatment
Many of our Palm Beach Gardens patients have spent decades in the sun, which is why regular skin cancer screenings are so important here.
How it is diagnosed: the biopsy
If your provider sees a spot that could be a BCC, the next step is usually a biopsy. It is quick and done during a regular visit.
- The area is numbed with a small injection.
- A small sample of the spot is removed, often with a shave technique.
- The site is covered with a bandage. Stitches are sometimes used.
- The sample goes to a lab, where a specialist examines it under a microscope.
- Results are usually back within about one to two weeks.
The biopsy tells us whether the spot is cancer, what type it is and how it is growing, which guides treatment.
Treatment options
The right treatment depends on the size, type and location of the cancer, plus your health and preferences.
Excision
The most common treatment is surgical skin cancer removal. The cancer is cut out with a small margin of healthy skin, and the area is closed with stitches. This is done in the office under local anesthesia, and the tissue is sent to the lab to confirm the edges are clear.
Curettage and electrodesiccation
For some small, low-risk BCCs on the body, the cancer can be removed with a small, spoon-shaped instrument called a curette and the base treated with heat. This leaves a small round scar.
Topical treatment
For certain superficial BCCs, a prescription cream used for several weeks may be an option.
Mohs surgery
For BCCs on the face, ears and other sensitive areas, or for larger or recurrent cancers, Mohs surgery removes the cancer layer by layer while checking each layer under the microscope. It saves as much healthy skin as possible. If Mohs is the best option for you, we will coordinate a referral.
After treatment
Most BCCs are cured with treatment. Still, having one means you are more likely to develop another in the future. Your provider will recommend a skin check schedule, often every six to twelve months at first. Daily sunscreen, protective clothing and shade help reduce the risk of new skin cancers.
Caring for the treated area
After a biopsy or removal, most people go right back to normal activities, with a few simple steps:
- Keep the bandage on and dry for the first day, or as directed
- Clean the area gently once or twice a day and apply petroleum jelly
- Cover it with a fresh bandage until it heals
- Avoid heavy lifting or intense exercise for a few days if you have stitches
- Call the office if you notice increasing redness, warmth, swelling or pus
Stitches, when used, are usually removed in one to two weeks. Keeping the area moist and protected from the sun helps it heal with a flatter, less noticeable scar.
Frequently asked questions
Is basal cell carcinoma dangerous?
It rarely spreads, but it can grow and damage nearby tissue if it is not treated. Early treatment is simple and very effective.
Does a biopsy hurt?
The numbing injection stings briefly. After that, most people feel pressure but no pain.
Will I have a scar?
Most treatments leave a small scar. Your provider will talk with you about what to expect and how to care for the area so it heals well.
Is skin cancer treatment covered by insurance?
Diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer is medical care and is generally covered. Our Palm Beach Gardens office accepts Medicare, Aetna and Cigna. See our insurance page.
Book a skin check in Palm Beach Gardens
If you have a spot that bleeds, will not heal or looks different from your other spots, book a visit. Our Palm Beach Gardens office is at 3345 Burns Road, Suite 101, and our providers include board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mitchell Mandel. Book online or call or text (561) 567-6775.