It's the most common type of skin cancer and rarely spreads, so I wasn't too concerned. I was more concerned about the surgery to get rid of it. Anyone who knows me knows I'm squeamish. I actually did ok; almost passed out while they numbed me up (lots of needles), but after that I was golden. Later, I learned that both my dad and his mother had basal cell spots removed, so it was kinda in my destiny. Here are some articles about basal cell and Mohs surgery:
Taken from PubMed Health-
Basal cell carcinoma, or basal cell skin cancer, is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers are basal cell cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. Most basal cell cancers occur on skin that is regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. This includes the top of your head, or scalp.
Basal cell skin cancer is most common in people over age 40. However, it occurs in younger people, too.
You are more likely to get basal cell skin cancer if you have:
Light-colored or freckled skin
Blue, green, or grey eyes
Blond or red hair
Overexposure to x-rays or other forms of radiation
Many moles
Close relatives who have or had skin cancer
Many severe sunburns early in life
Long-term daily sun exposure (such as the sun exposure people who work outside receive)
Basal cell skin cancer grows slowly and is usually painless. It may not look that different from your normal skin. You may have a skin bump or growth that is:
Pearly or waxy
White or light pink
Flesh-colored or brown
In some cases the skin may be just slightly raised or even flat.
You may have:
A skin sore that bleeds easily
A sore that does not heal
Oozing or crusting spots in a sore
A scar-like sore without having injured the area
Irregular blood vessels in or around the spot
A sore with a depressed (sunken) area in the middle
Taken from cancer.org-
Treating basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma very rarely spreads to other parts of the body, although it can grow into nearby tissues if not treated. Several methods can be used to remove or destroy these cancers. The choice may depend on factors such as the tumor size and location, and the patient’s age, general health, and preferences.
All of the treatment methods listed here can be effective. The chance of the cancer coming back (recurring) ranges from less than 5% for Mohs surgery to up to 15% or higher for some of the others, but this depends on the size of the tumor. Small tumors are less likely to recur than larger ones. Even if the tumor does recur, it can often still be treated effectively.
Curettage and electrodesiccation
Curettage and electrodesiccation is a common treatment for basal cell carcinomas smaller than 1 centimeter (slightly less than a half inch) across. It might need to be repeated to help make sure all of the cancer has been removed.
Simple excision
Simple excision (cutting the tumor out) is often used to remove basal cell carcinomas, along with a margin of normal skin.
Mohs surgery
Mohs surgery has the best cure rate for basal cell carcinoma. It is especially useful in treating large tumors, tumors where the edges are not well-defined, tumors in certain locations (such as on or near the nose, eyes, ears, forehead, scalp, fingers, and genital area), and those that have come back after other treatments. However, it is also more complex, time-consuming, and expensive than other methods.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is often a good option for treating patients who might not be able to tolerate surgery and for treating tumors on the eyelids, nose, or ears – areas that can be hard to treat surgically. It is also sometimes used after surgery if it is not clear that all of the cancer has been removed.
Immune response modifiers, photodynamic therapy, or topical chemotherapy
These treatments are sometimes considered as options for treating very superficial tumors (tumors that have not extended too deeply under the skin surface). Close follow-up is needed because these treatments do not destroy any cancer cells that are deep under the surface.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery can be used for some small basal cell carcinomas but is not recommended for larger tumors or those on certain parts of the nose, ears, eyelids, scalp, or legs.
Targeted therapy for advanced basal cell cancers
In rare cases where basal cell cancer spreads to other parts of the body or can’t be cured with surgery or radiation therapy, the targeted drug vismodegib (ErivedgeTM) can often shrink or slow the growth of the cancer. This drug is taken daily as a pill.
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