Basal cell carcinoma is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer and accounts for about 90% of skin cancer cases in the United States. It is characterized by the location it arises from in the basal cells of the lower layer of the epidermis. It develops on the body as a bump that is usually pink and waxy in appearance with a central depression. The affected area occasionally oozes or crusts as the cancer spreads. The cancer itself is very slow growing compared to most. It typically takes 1 to 2 years to grow 0.5 cm.
There are several different types of basal cell carcinoma that are classified by location and appearance. Nodular is the most common type and presents as a round, cystic, pearly and flesh colored papule with telagiectases. Infiltrative is less apparent and found within the dermis in thin strands between collagen fibers. Micronodular has a well-defined border, appears yellow when stretched and is firm to the touch. Morpheaform is slightly depressed, fibrotic, and firm with yellow or white, waxy, sclerotic plaque. Superficial has a whitish scale erythematous, well circumcised plaque in appearance and is mostly found on the upper trunk and shoulders.
The primary cause for basal cell carcinoma is exposure to ultraviolet light most specifically within the ranges of 290 to 320 nm. These rays are produced from the sun and tanning beds. When they hit the skin the rays damage the DNA in the cells of the skin and keep the cells from repairing properly. Usually the skin cancer occurs in people over the age of 50 after sun exposure has repeatedly damaged the DNA of the cells.
Other risk factors for basal cell carcinoma can be physical traits, behaviors, or medical history. Some of the physical traits that can be risk factors include fair, light-colored or freckled skin, blue, green or gray eyes, blond or red hair, and an inability to tan. Some behaviors that can be risk factors are spending a lot of time outside in the sun peak hours without sunscreen or other cover and using a tanning be regularly. The medical history risk factors can include previous basal cell carcinoma, close relative with basal cell carcinoma, taking of drugs that suppress the immune system and overexposure to X-rays. There is also rare chances of the cancer developing at the age of 20 years but it must be caused by another underlying condition.
There are four main ways to treat basal cell carcinoma of which could either be topical or surgical. Topical chemotherapy can be used to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma by using anticancer agents such as 5-flourouracil, also known as Efudex or Carac, to treat the effected cells. Topical immunomodulators can also be used on the outside of the skin with a cream that contains imiquimod or Aldara but it focuses on stimulating the immune response against tumor cells. The surgical methods include curettage and electrodesiccation in which the tumor cells are scraped away and the area is cauterized with an electric needle to control the bleeding. This treatment is only appropriate for
external surfaces, line cavities and tubular structures, and serve essential fuctions (Martini & Bartholomew, 2012). Connective tissue provides a protective structural framework for other tissue types. It has three basic components, including specialized cells, extracellular protein fibers, and ground substance (Martini & Bartholomew, 2012). Muscle tissue is designed for contraction. The three types of muscle tissue are skeletal, cardiac, and smooth. Neural tissue responds to stimuli and conducts electrical…
SKIN CANCER BY MELINDA NEAGLE ITT LOUISVILLE Abstract Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer, which is unfortunate because it is easily prevented. There are an estimated 1,050,000 new cases of skin cancer reported each year. The main three forms are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. One of the most dangerous cancers in the world is Melanoma, a cancer of the skin. There are many types of melanoma, some harmless and some deadly, but both can…
Cell Biology – Test 4 – Final – Cancer 1. Gene expression in Cancerous cells a. Mutation – sequence change in the bases of DNA b. In cancerous cells, mutations cause cells to lose control over mitosis i. Proto-oncogene – protein normally causes cells to divide, mutation causes protein to produce a higher rate of mitosis ii. Multiple changes can occur. 1. make the proto-oncogene to the oncogene (mutated version) 2. Could make copies…
cut Starving melanoma cells may slow tumor growth: It is still very early days, as the method has only been tested in lab-grown cells. But the researchers, from Sydney's Centenary Institute and the University of Sydney, hope their findings will lead to new drugs that control a range of cancers, including melanoma. Although the melanoma is the least common skin cancer, it is responsible for most of deaths. In Australia, the melanoma skin cancer is the third most common cancer, also Australia has the…
the skin that occur when the pore around a hair follicle becomes blocked, leading to inflammation or infection. apocrine glands Glands in the dermis that make and secrete sweat that contains proteins and fatty acids. autoimmune disorder A condition that arises when the body mistakes something that is safe as something harmful and mounts an immune response against it. basal layer The deepest layer of skin in the epidermis. The basal layer produces new skin cells. burn Injury to the skin caused…
trend. Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer. It is not as common as other types of skin cancer, but it is the most serious. Melanoma can affect your skin only, or it may spread to your organs and bones. As with other cancers, treatment for melanoma works best when the cancer is found early. This topic is about melanoma that occurs in the skin. It does not cover melanoma that occurs in the eye or in any other part of the body besides the skin. Melanoma starts in skin cells called melanocytes and can…
Various types of Cancer Radhesh Patel South Universtiy Bio 1020 Dr. Amy Schuler 03/14/2014 Various Types of Cancer Cell is the basic unit of Human body. Sometimes cells have a defect caused by gene mutation and when this mutation occurs frequently it causes cell to become cancerous. These cancerous cells grows on a different rate then a normal cells, thus eventually it clutters around normal cells, which is called a tumor. There are two types of tumor Benign, malignant, from which malignant…
Primary changes pt.’s perceptions of health lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, & Secondary early detection physical exams, colonoscopies, breast exams, etc. Nursing Management Common problems facing elderly in acute setting Depression Skin integrity Sleep Restraints SPICES SCALES 11: Palliative & End of Life Poly-Pharmacy Different doctors & different medications Advise to keep a list of medications Elder Abuse Doing or failing to do something resulting in harm of elderly…
Sun exposure is the major known environmental factor associated with the development of skin cancer of all types. There are different patterns of sun exposure associated with each major type of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. While there is no standard measure, sun exposure has generally been classified as intermittent or chronic, and its effects may be considered short-term or cumulative. Intermittent sun exposure is, by definition, sporadic…
consists of only one layer of flat, scalelike cells. Because of this, substances can easily diffuse or filter through this type of tissue. 2.) Define pseudo stratified: Pseudostratified columnar epithelium is made up of one layer of cells that appears to be at least several layers (pseudo-, "false"; strata-, "layer"). However, despite their appearance, all cells are attached to the basement membrane. Some are taller and their nuclei rest near the top of the cell. Others are shorter and have nuclei that…
