$Unique_ID{BRK00927}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Chances of Recovery From a Basal Cancer of the Skin}
$Subject{basal cell cancer cancers neoplasm neoplasms Skin Subcutaneous Tissue
tissues sunlight fair curette scrape burn away operation antibiotic cream
tumor tumors biopsy Mohs chemosurgery curettage}
$Volume{B-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Chances of Recovery From a Basal Cancer of the Skin


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  What are my chances of recovery from a basal cancer of the skin?
My doctor has made this diagnosis and wishes to remove the tumor.  He has told
me that this type of tumor is malignant, but says that it can be taken care of
by a simple operation in his office.  I need reassurance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  And you shall have that reassurance from me.  Your chances of
survival and recovery are enormous, and the probability of that your doctor
can successfully remove this tumor in an office procedure is from about 93
percent to 96 percent.  Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of all skin
malignant tumors, with more than 400,000 new cases seen each year.  It is
usually found on areas of the skin that are exposed to sunlight, the most
common being in the areas of the head and neck.  Men are more prone to this
than women, and the tumors are diagnosed at around age of 60 years to 70 years
of age.  People with fair skin are the most susceptible.  Although this is
classified as a malignant tumor, deaths from this cancer are rare, as this
form of tumor rarely spreads to other parts of the body.  There are many
effective means of removing this tumor that are readily performed in a
doctor's office.  Since a local anesthetic is all that is need to completely
numb the area, the procedures are all painless.  The most commonly used method
for small uncomplicated lesions is to curette (scrape away) the tumor as
completely as possible, and then use an electric needle to burn away a small
margin of normal appearing tissue, and to stop the bleeding from the small
vessels in the area.  The wound is clean and dry after the operation and may
be easily cared for using an antibiotic cream or ointment to prevent infection
and a plain adhesive dressing.  If there lesion is larger, it may be
surgically removed using a scalpel.  This method has the advantage of
providing a biopsy specimen for microscopic evaluation.  It tumors that are
large, with irregular borders, and in areas where they are likely to reoccur,
a specialized procedure called Mohs' chemosurgery is used to cut away small
sections while utilizing a microscope, and then examining each fragment for
the presence of tumor cells.  This is repeated over and over until no more
tumor remains.  Although this is a more expensive and delicate procedure it
has the advantage of conserving all the normal tissue possible, with absolute
certainty that the entire cancer has been removed.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.