What Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Look Like? 

BCC can have many different appearances. Some common signs include: 

A shiny, pearly, translucent or skin-colored bump, A pink or red growth, A sore that does not heal, A spot that repeatedly bleeds or crusts, A scar-like area that develops without an obvious injury. 

Diagnosing Basal Cell Carcinoma 

If your dermatologist sees an area that may be basal cell carcinoma, a skin biopsy may be recommended. During a biopsy, a small amount of tissue is removed and sent to a pathologist where it can be examined under a microscope. A biopsy does not necessarily mean that you have skin cancer. Many spots that look suspicious turn out to be benign. The biopsy gives us the information we need to determine what the spot is and, if it is cancer, what type of treatment may be appropriate. 

Once a basal cell carcinoma has been diagnosed, your dermatologist will consider several factors when recommending treatment. These can include the size and location of the cancer, how deeply it has grown, whether it is a first-time or recurrent cancer, and the specific characteristics of the tumor. 

How Basal Cell Carcinoma Is Treated 

There are several ways to treat basal cell carcinoma. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual patient and the skin cancer. Surgical removal is a common treatment for BCC. For certain skin cancers, Mohs Micrographic Surgery may be recommended. Mohs surgery removes the cancer in stages while examining the tissue margins during the procedure. This allows the surgeon to confirm that the cancer has been completely removed while preserving as much healthy surrounding skin as possible. 

Mohs surgery can be particularly helpful for cancers located in cosmetically or functionally important areas, such as the nose, ears, eyelids, lips, and other areas of the face. Other treatment options may be appropriate for selected patients. At Calvert Dermatology, we offer several treatment options for appropriate patients, including Mohs surgery, local destruction, Photodynamic Therapy, and Superficial Radiation Therapy. 

How Calvert Dermatology Helps 

At Calvert Dermatology, we understand that being told you have skin cancer can be stressful. Our goal is to make sure you understand your diagnosis and your treatment options. Our dermatologists provide comprehensive skin examinations and evaluate new or changing growths. If a biopsy is necessary, we can perform the appropriate evaluation and help guide you through the next steps. For patients who are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, we offer advanced treatment options based on the individual cancer and the patient’s needs. 

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is one of the specialized treatments available at Calvert Dermatology. Which is performed by Dr. Faris Hawit, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. For selected basal cell carcinomas, Superficial Radiation Therapy may provide a non-surgical treatment option. SRT uses low-energy X-rays to treat certain skin cancers and may be appropriate for patients who are looking for a non-surgical approach. 

We also offer local destruction for selected superficial skin cancers and Photodynamic Therapy for certain precancerous and skin cancer conditions. Most importantly, we believe patients should understand why a particular treatment is being recommended. We take the time to explain the diagnosis, discuss treatment options, and answer questions so that patients feel comfortable with their care.