Noncancerous, Precancerous and Cancerous Tumors

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It frequently occurs in fair-skinned individuals due to excess sun exposure. A person who has one basal cell carcinoma is at risk for having more. The cancer may look like a scab or sore that does not heal. This type of cancer typically does not spread to distant sites in the body. The cancer can be disfiguring, if diagnosis and treatment are delayed and the cancer invades local tissue. Several methods are available to treat basal cell carcinoma including electrodesiccation and curettage, excisional surgery, cryosurgery, laser surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), topical medications (imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]), and Mohs surgery. Some cases of basal cell carcinoma may be treated with radiation.