Basal cell carcinoma natural history
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D.
Overview
Basal cell carcinoma is slow-growing and locally invasive. Common complications of BCC commonly include reccurrence and development of other types of skin cancer. Prognosis is usually excellent, but the tumor is usually locally invasive and may be destructive.
Natural History
- Patients with basal cell carcinoma are often asymptomatic.
- Basal cell carcinoma is slow-growing and locally invasive.
- The overall risk of metastases is estimated to be less than 0.1%.
- The risk of invasion and recurrence is based on size, duration, location and subtype (sclerodermiform/morpheaform and micronodular clinical variants have a higher risk).
- Even without a recurrence, a personal history of basal cell carcinoma increases the risk of developing all types of skin cancers.
Complications
Complications of basal cell carcinoma are the following:
- Reccurrence
- Development of other types of skin cancer
- Metastasis
- Ovarian calcification or fibroma[1]
- Medulloblastoma[1]
- Cardiac fibroma[1]
- Cleft palate[1]
- Ophthalmic complications, such as squint or cataract[1]
Prognosis
- Prognosis of basal cell carcinoma is usually excellent.
- Although basal cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes, it grows locally with invasion and destruction of local tissues, without stopping.
- The cancer can impinge on vital structures and result in loss of extension or loss of function or rarely death.
- The vast majority of cases can be successfully treated before serious complications occur.