Exposure to UV rays
The risk of experiencing the most basal cell carcinoma is high on the skin that are often exposed to ultraviolet light (UV light), such as on the face (facial skin cancer causes), etc and a lot more in people with light skin type.
First, it mainly occurs in people who are older, and even more specifically in people with outdoor professions (farmers, construction workers, street workers, etc.). Today, the signs of skin cancer more often experienced on the younger guys, not only because of the Sun (vacations, hobbies, etc.) but also people who use tanning beds excessively. Keep in mind that Sun exposure work cumulatively: it means that the total exposure is the sum of all the previous ones.
A genetic mutation on the basal cell carcinoma
Ultraviolet light (UV) from the Sun or tanning beds causes damage to DNA (the genetic material in cells) that causes the mutation occurs in the gene. Those genes stored in our DNA to form a kind of mould for the production of thousands of proteins in our bodies. Proteins that arise from abnormal genes mutating is also, as a result cells are not functioning normally again.
P53 gene
Genes that are frequently mutated in basal cell carcinoma is the p53 gene. This gene is also mutated in other tumors are spinocellular Carcinoma, including.
Other genes that are frequently mutated in basal cell carcinoma is the gene PTCH is part that plays a major role in the development of basal cell carcinoma.
The role of immunosuppressive drugs
More and more patients must take drugs that suppress the activity of the immune system. For example, people with arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or disease (Crohn's disease) or who have undergone transplantation. If the immune system is working less well, the body can be more difficult to restrain the growth of cancer cells that uncontrollably.
The skin then is a privileged location for the establishment of the cancer because the skin cells quickly replaced anyway. The risk of genetic errors (mutations) in the cell division because it is larger than in the organs where the cells tend to divide.
Although the emphasis of the immune system by certain drugs increase the risk of basal cell carcinoma, spinocellular carcinoma risk is greatly increased. In a normal population there are four basal cell carcinoma spinocellular carcinoma to one (ratio 4:1). But the transplant, this ratio is reversed with the emphasis of the immune system and thus there are four times more carcinomas than basal cell carcinoma spinoseluler.
Descendants of disorders with increased risk of basal cell carcinoma Xeroderma pigmentosum:
Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare hereditary disease that reduces the skin's capacity to repair damage caused by ultraviolet rays. People with this disorder often develop multiple skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma since childhood.
Basal cell nevus syndrome (Gorlin Syndrome)
Basal cell nevus syndrome, also called Gorlin syndrome, is a disease of the skin characterized by descendants, among other things, the existence of many basal cell carcinoma recurrence. These patients also have a distinctive face, as well as abnormalities in other organs such as the bone, nerve, eye, genital organs.
Arsenic as the cause of certain basal cell carcinoma
Arsenic is the heavy metals contained in natural spring water in certain areas. This is still used in industry (e.g. for the production of insecticides, semiconductors for LED lighting, solar cells, copiers, fax and laser printer). Chronic exposure to arsenic can cause the development against carcinoma basal cell.
The characteristic of basal cell carcinoma
Characteristics of basal cell carcinoma was resembling aspects of pearls. The lesions appear as small bumps with a hole in the middle ( "traits that resemble acne skin cancer "), pink or red, and has a shiny bump almost transparent at the edges.
A small branching blood vessels can be seen on the surface. Some areas of the injury can be tinted bluish or brownish.
Sometimes itching or pain. Continuous wound that does not heal may indicate the development of basal cell carcinoma.
Where basal cell carcinoma develops?
Basal cell carcinomas develop in places that are exposed to sunlight, especially in the head and neck. More than 90% occur in the face. So usually the nose, angle in the eye, ear and eyebrow are a more vulnerable.
But this skin cancer can also occur in the torso (the skin of the chest and back). Here they can get very much, e.g. with long-term arsenic intake.
Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and rarely spread. If they spread, growth to the network and the bone underneath, if not treated on time, it can cause major damage, for example on the eyes.
Recurrence in the same location as the first tumor treated is always possible. In addition, those with basal cell carcinoma, more susceptible rekurensi (development of new skin cancer) in five years.
Detection of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma Diagnosis
Confirmation of basal cell carcinoma through biopsy
Usually a dermatologist with some experience can diagnose basal cell carcinoma on just the visual aspect of the injury. If in doubt, a dermatoscope can help: this is the kind of magnifying glass with internal illumination source, with spots or bumps on the skin can be analyzed more closely. The structure underneath the top layer is also seen through the light.
The diagnosis is confirmed by taking a biopsy (cut a piece of skin with sores under local anesthesia) and examination under a microscope. Small tumors can usually be cut completely by immediately and then checked with the microscopic to confirm diagnosis and to determine whether the tumor had completely disappeared. If this is not the case, a second surgical procedure may be needed to complete pharmaceutical.
A biopsy to determine the type of growth
A pathologist is a doctor that specializes in the research of tissue under the microscope that is obtained by biopsy or surgery. He made a thin piece of skin lesions that are obtained through a biopsy and look at it under a microscope. This research may confirm the diagnosis of basal cell carcinomas, but also determine the characteristics of a particular cancer. For example, a type of basal cell carcinoma growth can be determined: for example, whether the tumor grew aggressively, menginfiltrasi surrounding tissue or whether he is still defined with the keadaat good?
This type of growth to determine treatment options
The different types of cancer growth is important because it forms the basis for treatment. Multiple basal cell carcinomas are extremely difficult to align that they can not be fully eliminated by simple excision. When they return, they are even more difficult to cope, so evolution can turn into unprofitable. Basal cell carcinoma with very large dimensions or with aggressive growth pattern also has an unfavorable evolution.
Treatment of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma drug for
Surgery for basal cell carcinoma treatment
In most cases, basal cell carcinoma can be fully lifted through surgery under local anesthesia. To keep the risk of re-growth as small as possible, the surgeon removes the limits of healthy tissue in sight. This usually only two to four millimeters around the area. For injuries that grow larger or aggressive, this margin must be wider or injury should be removed with Mohs technique.
The second procedure is sometimes needed if microscopic examination shows that skin cancer is not entirely lost. The surgeon will always try to make the result se-aesthetic possible.
Mikrografi according to Mohs surgery
With this surgical technique, a basal cell carcinoma removed layers of ply in favor, with each layer are examined directly under a microscope during surgery. In this way, it is possible to check during the procedure if all the cancerous tissue is indeed missing. The disadvantages are that this method can take a long time and therefore many issuing costs. The upside is that people are confident the injury really deleted. More than that, this is the aesthetic intervention because as much as the possibility of healthy tissue.
Basal cell carcinoma: treatment with radiation
In certain locations where operations can be difficult-for example, when an injury so close to the real risk that the eye and the eye is threatened to be lost due to this procedure-shines can be considered as alternative medicine. The form of this radiation is not comparable to the intensive and profound radiation used for internal cancer.
But the radiation itself takes quite a long time and the patient should return to the hospital often.
A common treatment for basal cell carcinoma
Common treatment such as imiquimod stimulate the immune system in the skin and can therefore be used in superficial basal cell carcinoma. The cream should be applied on the basal cell carcinoma five times a week for six weeks.
Fluorouracil cream with cancer-inhibitor substances can also be applied to injury every day for several weeks.
Imiquimod and fluorouracil works in a different way. While imiquimod stimulates the immune system of the skin in cleaning up cancer cells, fluorouracil will hinder reproduction of cancer cells. All these local treatment can cause irritation to the skin.
Local treatment is recommended in the early onset of superficial basal cell carcinomas are great and on some superficial basal cell carcinoma on trunkus and limbs.
Treatment of basal cell carcinoma fotodinamik
Alternative other than basal cell carcinoma operation is photodynamic treatment. Cream/ointment applied to the lesion, thus making the malignant cells are very sensitive to visible light. When the tumor is then open (usually with a light red), malignant cells will be more easily destroyed.
This treatment method is applied for superficial basal cell carcinoma and large or many.
The procedure itself is complicated and can cause stinging pain if no precautions are taken. After exposure, the tumor may look red, but it disappeared after two weeks.
How to treat skin cancer: new treatment Options
Now there are systemic treatments-that treatment that treat the entire body – available for advanced basal cell carcinoma. Treatment-treatment is intended for basal cell carcinoma that has spread and where surgery or radiotherapy has not been established.
This treatment specifically focuses on the signal path is too active on this type of skin cancer. Vismodegib, that is the chemical name of this new drug-store one of the proteins under control produced by cancer cells in the basal cell carcinoma. Targeted treatment slows or stops the growth of cancer cells, or to kill him.
Targeted treatment
Vismodegib specifically studied in patients with basal cell carcinoma metastatic or locally advanced. About one-third of patients with metastatic disease (33%) and almost half of the patients with advanced disease (48%) respond well on treatment with a reduction of 30% or more of the size of the lesion.
Although this benefit to most patients, however, almost all of them become resistant to the treatment from time to time. The researchers do not yet know how it happens. The good news is that in patients whose injuries are definitely reduced with vismodegib, surgery can be considered at that time.
When drinking this medication, certain precautions should be taken which would be discussed with your doctor.