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 include reoccurrence and development of other types of skin cancer.
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.