Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common types of skin cancer. It can have various appearances, such as a red or pink bump or a flat patch. It develops in the skin's basal cells, often due to sun exposure.^1-3

While BCC typically grows slowly and rarely spreads beyond the original site, early detection and treatment are important to prevent it from damaging surrounding tissue and/or potentially spreading to other areas of the body.^1-3

Treatment options for basal cell carcinoma

BCC lesions are often able to be treated in the doctor’s office with minor surgery. The specific type of treatment depends on the location of the tumor and the likelihood of recurrence.^1-3

Treatment options for basal cell carcinoma include:^1-3

• Excision
• Mohs surgery
• Other local procedures
• Topical medicines
• Radiation therapy
• Systemic medicines

Excision

Excision is used for BCC that has not spread. Your doctor will cut out (excise) the BCC using a surgical knife. When an elliptical (football-shaped) incision is made, the scar will be a flat, thin line.^1-3

Narrower margins are used for BCC that are unlikely to recur. Wider margins are used for BCC that are more likely to recur (return). However, for BCC at high risk of recurrence, Mohs surgery is preferred.^1-3

Mohs surgery

A specially trained surgeon performs Mohs surgery. The surgeon removes 1 layer of skin at a time until all the cancer cells have been removed.^1-3

Mohs surgery is the gold standard in treating BCC. It has the highest cure rates and also saves the most healthy skin. Mohs surgery can be a good option for large, invasive tumors or tumors in very visible places.^1-3

Other local procedures

Local procedures that may be used to remove some thin, low-risk non-melanoma skin cancers. These can include:^1-3

• Curettage (scraping or shaving) and electrodesiccation (electrosurgery)
• Freezing (cryotherapy)
• Photodynamic therapy

Topical medicines

Some topical medicines may be used to treat some non-melanoma skin cancers that affect only the very top layers of skin. However, it is more common to use topical medicines to treat precancers.^1,2

Topical medicines approved to treat certain forms of BCC include:¹

• 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (Efudex®, Carac®, Fluoroplex®, Tolak®)
• Imiquimod (Aldara®, Zyclara®)

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a treatment option when surgery is not possible. It may be used as adjuvant therapy when the risk of recurrence is high. Adjuvant therapy is a second treatment given after the primary (main treatment, such as surgery). Adjuvant therapy may reduce the risk of recurrence.^1-3

Systemic medicines

Rarely, BCC spreads to other areas of the body. If that occurs, or the BCC is advanced and returns following surgery and/or radiation therapy, or surgery and/or radiation therapy cannot be done, targeted therapy might be an option for you. Two targeted therapies are available for people with certain forms of advanced basal cell carcinoma. They include:^1-3

• Vismodegib (Erivedge®)
• Sonidegib (Odomzo®)

With certain forms of advanced basal cell carcinoma, the following immunotherapy drug may be used:³

• Cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo®)

Get regular skin checks by a dermatologist

Early detection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is crucial because it often allows for simpler, more effective treatment and minimizes potential tissue damage. Regularly checking your skin for new growths, sores that do not heal, or shiny bumps can make a big difference. Also, getting regular skin cancer checks by a dermatologist is very important.^1-3

These simple steps can reduce your risk and ensure that if BCC does develop, it is caught and treated promptly.^1-3