Download Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) We hope this leaflet will help you

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Risks and complications
We hope this leaflet will help you
understand a little more about this
condition. If you have any further
questions, please do not hesitate to ask
the nursing or medical staff. They will be
happy to help you.
If a specific treatment has been offered, then
please read the information leaflet relevant to
that treatment. The doctor will discuss any
risks or complications associated with this
treatment with you. If you have any questions
please feel free to ask.
What is a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)?
Is the condition likely to return?
You have been diagnosed as having a Basal
Cell Carcinoma, or BCC. This is sometimes
called a Rodent Ulcer.
95% of patients need no further treatment but
occasionally the condition returns. If the
condition returns it would be as a scab or
small shiny bump in the scar from the original
lesion.
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common
form of skin cancer. It grows very slowly,
mainly on the face and neck, with a raised
pearly edge. This condition changes very
slowly and does not spead to other parts
of the body.
If it is left untreated, the BCC will continue
to grow. As the BCC becomes larger it can
bleed and start to destroy surrounding
structures, even down to the underlying
bone.
What kind of treatment can I expect?
The type of treatment depends on the
place on the body that is affected, the
size of the affected area, and how you
feel about the options that the doctor will
discuss with you.
Common treatments include:
• surgery under local anaesthetic
• treatment with a cold spray of liquid
• nitrogen (cryosurgery),
• radiotherapy
• treatment creams
Will I get further problems?
People who have had one BCC could get others.
This is not because BCCs spread but because
some people have the type of skin prone to this
problem and they may have been exposed to
more than the average amount of sunshine.
What do I do now?
The mark left by your treatment will soon
settle and you will be left with a scar. You
should keep an eye on this scar to look for
signs of the problem returning. If you get
new scabbing or a shiny bump ask your GP
for their opinion and they can send you back
to the dermatology department for a further
examination.
You may get more BCCs and it is important that
you keep an eye on the rest of your skin for
signs of new ones. If you notice a new mark that
does not go away after a few months, ask your
GP for their opinion. This is especially important
for marks that bleed, itch or are getting bigger.
Self-assessment is very important because
patients are not routinely followed up in
the dermatology department following
treatment of their BCC. This is because the
treatment for BCC is very effective and the
likelihood of it returning is extremely small.
How can I prevent getting more BCCs?
Protecting yourself from strong sunshine
will help prevent your skin from ageing and
should reduce the chances of you
developing more wrinkles, brown marks,
sun damage and skin cancer.
Protection from sunshine means:
• Stay in the shade 11am - 3pm.
The sun is most dangerous in the middle of
the day-find shade under umbrellas, trees,
canopies or indoors.
• Make sure you never burn.
Sunburn can double your risk of skin cancer.
• Always cover up.
Sunscreen is not enough - wear a
t-shirt, a wide brimmed hat and
wraparound sunglasses.
• Remember to take extra care with
children.
Young skin is delicate, keep babies out of
the sun around midday.
• Then use factor 30+ sunscreen with
broad, spectrum 4 star rating
Apply sunscreen generously 15-30 minutes
before you go outside and reapply often.
Also report mole changes or unusual skin
growths promptly to your doctor.
Contact details
Please do not hesitate to contact our Skin
Cancer Nurse Specialists Karen Curtis or
Joanna Macdonald for any further information.
Telephone 01823 3444956
Fax 01823344991
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Basal Cell
Carcinoma
Dermatology
K Curtis/Nov14/review Nov16