Treatment

How is it treated?

The clinical diagnosis of this tumour must be confirmed before treatment is given. There are many skin conditions that resemble basal cell tumours. Confirmation involves the surgical removal of some of the skin, which is then examined under the microscope. If it is small, the whole tumour is sometimes removed, combining diagnosis with cure.

Three treatments are available to cure the tumour: surgery, cryotherapy and radiotherapy. Small tumours are often best removed surgically. The tumour is cut out after use of a local anaesthetic. The skin is then stitched together, leaving a small scar. An alternative surgical approach is to scrape the tumour off the skin using a small sharp spoon, under local anaesthesia, and then cauterising the base.

In cryotherapy (freezing treatment) thin tumours are treated by squirting or dabbing a very cold liquid (liquid nitrogen) on to the tumour. This freezes the growth and kills the malignant cells. After treatment, the area often develops a blister which bursts, crusts, and eventually separates to leave normal skin.

Radiotherapy (x-ray treatment) is used for large tumours or for small tumours in awkward places, where surgery or freezing treatment would be difficult. For this treatment, a special mask is made to protect normal skin. The tumour is then treated with x-rays through a hole in the mask. Several treatments are given over about a week. The area may become sore and red, but the tumour eventually develops a scab and falls off. A small, white scar may result.

During Treatment for a Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell growths usually have a high cure rate. All methods - surgery, cryotherapy and radiotherapy - are effective and should cause little discomfort.

After Treatment of a Basal Cell Carcinoma

If the tumour is removed surgically, the stitches will need to be removed after about a week. Analysis of the tissue removed will identify if any of the tumour was left in the skin. In this case, one of the other forms of treatment will be necessary. With all forms of treatment, the tumour may recur. Regular checks are therefore arranged.