What is basal carcinoma cancer?

This is the commonest form of skin cancer. It is slow-growing and ulcerating, and occurs on the face of an elderly individual. The tumor invades locally but rarely metastasises. Another name for it is rodent ulcer. It is treated with local destruction by either surgery, cryotherapy, or radiotherapy.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is fairly common and "typically occurs in areas of chronic sun exposure. BCC is usually slow growing and rarely metastasizes, but it can cause clinically significant local destruction and disfigurement if neglected or treated inadequately. Prognosis is excellent with proper therapy."

It's skin cancer and its the most common type of cancer there is.

Basal cells line the deepest layer of the epidermis. Basal cell carcinomas are malignant growths--tumors--that arise in this layer.

Basal cell carcinoma can usually be diagnosed with a simple biopsy and is fairly easy to treat when detected early. However, 5 to 10 percent of BCCs can be resistant to treatment or locally aggressive, damaging the skin around them, and sometimes invading bone and cartilage. When not treated quickly, they can be difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, however, this is a cancer that has an extremely low rate of metastasis, and although it can result in scars and disfigurement, it is not usually life threatening.