Submitted by DonnaH on Mon, 04/06/2009 - 08:22
From Wikipedia:
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of all types of skin cancer. Statistically speaking, approximately 3 out of 10 caucasians develop a basal cell cancer within their lifetime. Although it is considered a malignancy, it rarely metastasizes or kills. Metastasis is rare, but when neglected, it can invade locally. In 80 percent of all cases, basal cell cancers are found on the head and neck. There appear to be an increase in incidence of basal cell cancer in the trunk in recent years.Even though it is not deadly, it can be locally destructive and disfiguring.
Variants of basal cell cancers
Various forms are recognized:
* Nodular: flesh-colored to pearly or translucent papule with telangiectasis; if it ulcerates, it becomes a "rodent ulcer" (ulcus rodens), an ulcerating nodule with (often) a pearly border.
* Cystic: rarer and difficult to distinguish from the nodular form, which has a central cavity with fluid
* Pigmented: a variant of the nodular form that may be confused with melanoma
* Sclerosing/cicatrizing or Morpheaform: a scar-like lesion. Also called "infiltrative".
* Superficial: a red scaly localized patch. It is frequently confused with psoriasis or eczema.
* Basal cell cancer with squamous differentiation: Or Baso-squamoid variant. Often consider to be more aggressive, and should be treated with respect especially when found on the ears, lips, or in immunosuppressed individuals. Probably is responsible for the reported deaths and metastasis. It behaves more like a squamous cell carcinoma than a basal cell cancer.
* Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus an unusual and uncommon form of basal cell cancer with the appearance of a skin tag or pedunculated intradermal nevus.
The Skin Cancer Foundation is a major source of information:
http://skincancer.org/Basal-Cell-Carcinoma/
Also, they have free skin cancer screenings throughout the state. While there aren't any listed for Waco, they do have two in Midlothian in June and one is Austin (date to be determined). For
more information: http://www.skincancer.org/tour/tourbystate.php
The Mayo Clinic's guide to the disease:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/basal-cell-carcinoma/DS00925
SkinCancerNet has a good run down on the disease, and this link takes you to a section with some photos of basal cell carcinoma:
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/SkinCancerNet/basal_cell_carcinoma.html
MedlinePlus has an indepth section on this cancer. Symptoms, photos, treatment, prevention, etc:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000824.htm
MedicineNet is another very good source of information for this:
http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_cancer/article.htm
The American Cancer Society has three sections on this disease:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=51
The National Cancer Institute has a wealth of information available including a database for clinical trials, downloadable phamplets/literature and treatment information
http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/types/skin
Cancer Compass has a skin cancer message board that's quite active. It does combine the many skin cancers, but it can be a helpful resource, none the less.
http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/skin-cancer/1,0,119,4...
Blog For a Cure has some very active bloggers on the board. You'll want to do a search for "basal cell", and it should return several for you.
http://www.blogforacure.com/index.php
YouTube also has a large number of informative clips. You'll want to search for "basal cell" to get a listing of the clips available.
http://www.youtube.com/
Amazon is a good source for books about this disease. You'll want to keep in mind that most books combine the various skin cancers into one general category. Also, check your local library...Interlibrary Loans may be a big help here.
100 Questions & Answers about Melanoma & Other Skin Cancers (Paperback)
by Edward F. McClay (Author), Mary-Eileen T. McClay (Author), Jodie Smith (Author)
100 Questions & Answers About Melanoma & Other Skin Cancers
ABC of Skin Cancer (ABC Series) (Paperback)
by Sajjad Rajpar (Author), Jerry Marsden (Author)
ABC of Skin Cancer (ABC Series)
Skin Cancer (The Biology of Cancer) (Library Binding)
by Po-lin, Ph.d. So (Author)
Skin Cancer (The Biology of Cancer)
QuickFacts Basal And Squamous Cell Skin Cancer (Paperback)
by American Cancer Society (Author)
QuickFacts Basal And Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
Saving Face: My Victory over Skin Cancer (Hardcover)
by Carolyn Shuck (Author),
Saving Face: My Victory over Skin Cancer
Only Skin Deep?: An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources (Paperback)
by Danielle M White (Author)
Only Skin Deep?: An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources
