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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer that usually first appears as a transparent bump on the skin.
CoolSculpting® employs a process known as Cryolipolysis. (“Cryo” = cold + “lipo” = fat cells + “lysis” = cell death and removal.) During treatment, stubborn fat deposits are subjected to controlled cooling.
The controlled cooling safely penetrates the skin. Subcutaneous fat cells begin to freeze. This ruptures the cell’s membrane. The ruptured fat cells are flagged for apoptosis –cell death and removal.
Over the passage of several weeks, the body’s immune system gathers the demolished fat cells. Frozen fat cells ultimately exit the body as waste. These fat cells cannot return or be replaced.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer that usually first appears as a transparent bump on the skin. Typically this type of skin cancer is due to a history of UV exposure from sunlight. The face and the neck are most commonly exposed to sunlight, and this is where this type of skin cancer usually shows up.
Millions of people in the United States alone are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. BCC’s typically grow slowly over time compared to other types of skin cancer. Most are treatable and curable– the single most important factor in ensuring this is early detection.
Regularly receiving skin exams from your board-certified dermatologist and performing them on yourself is crucial. But understanding what puts you at risk and causes basal cell carcinoma is also insightful information everyone should have.
Basal cells are found at the bottom of the outermost layer of skin– the epidermis. The job of basal cells is to naturally create new skin cells. Typically as new cells are being produced, old skin cells are being pushed to the surface where they die off naturally.
The issue is that the basal cells will still create new skin cells rapidly even when they are abnormal cells. As abnormal cells accumulate on the surface, that’s when the cancerous growth or lesion will start to appear.
Damage to the DNA of basal cells is what ultimately causes the rapid production of abnormal cells. The damage most commonly comes from UV radiation from too much sunlight or tanning beds. There are times where a BCC could form on the skin that is not commonly exposed to sunlight, in which those cases are a little more unclear to determine the cause.
Patients that have had basal cell carcinoma before are at risk for them to reoccur again even after successful treatment. There is also an increased risk for other types of skin cancer to occur, and in some rare cases, basal cell carcinoma can spread to other areas of the body such as the lymph nodes.
Given how important early detection is, it is important that you are aware of what factors can increase the odds originally of getting basal cell carcinoma:
Prevention and early detection are both key. Some routines that can help you prevent basal cell carcinoma include:
Basal cell carcinoma often forms on the face and neck, and in rare situations, could show up in an area of the body that doesn't see sunlight often.
It first presents as a skin lesion or a standard change to the skin. BCC’s most often look like a growth or a sore, but it’s important to note that the appearance varies from person to person. There are a few different appearances of the growth spot that could occur:
Untreated BCCs can become invasive in that isolated area it’s in. They will continue to grow wider and deeper into the skin’s tissue and could reach the bones if enough time passes by.
The longer you wait for treatment, the worse it can get, and the higher the risk for them to reoccur elsewhere.
The treatment approach recommended will be dependent on your examination with your dermatologist. If BCCs are caught early and relatively small in size, there are several treatment options that can be performed on an outpatient basis:
It’s important to have routine skin exams with your dermatologist as well as performing skin exams on yourself periodically. Make notes of any changes you see to your skin, and you should make an appointment if you observe any changes in the appearance of your skin, especially if you see a new type of skin lesion or a recurring one. The team at DermExperts takes extraordinary care of our patients and can help you get any lesions properly diagnosed and treated.
Angelo Ayar, MD is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in surgical, cosmetic and medical dermatology. His dermatology residency training was completed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI – one of the top dermatology training programs in the nation!
Dr. Ayar’s extensive training also includes a research fellowship in skin cancer at the University of Michigan. His research focused on the basic science of all skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and merkel cell carcinoma. Today, Dr. Ayar’s research has been presented world wide.
Dr. Ayar puts his extensive training to work for patients, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer as well as aesthetic procedures such as CoolSculpting and injectables. Dr. Ayar’s warm, caring, expertise and keen aesthetic eye have helped renew and refresh skin, transform bodies, and improve the lives of thousands of people.
At Dermatology Experts, our priority is to deliver quality dermatology care to informed patients in a comfortable and convenient setting.
When you have needs for dermatological care, you need to turn to a doctor who listens and responds. At Dermatology Experts, you benefit from a dedicated team of trained professionals who give you the individualized attention you deserve.
Dermatology Experts believes that informed patients are better prepared to make decisions regarding their health and well-being. That is why we’ve included information on this web site covering topics associated with dermatology.
The best care in the world doesn’t mean anything if you can’t access it. At Dermatology Experts, we strive to make our Tamarac office as efficient and convenient as possible.
Ready for healthy skin? Schedule an appointment at one of our three locations in South Florida to get the care that you and your family deserve.