About basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a cancer which usually starts in your skin.  The cells start to over produce and form an alteration in your skin’s appearance.

BCC is a slow growing form of skin cancer and it usually remains in the outer layer of your skin.  It rarely spreads to other parts of your body.

If left untreated, BCC can spoil the appearance of your skin.

BCC is the most common type of skin cancer. 

Causes of BCC

Strong evidence suggests that ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can do long term damage to the skin.  This may contribute to the development of BCC.

Treatment for BCC

The following treatments are available, depending on the site, size and type of BCC.

  • surgery
  • radiotherapy
  • photodynamic therapy (therapy using light)
  • cryotherapy (freezing treatment)
  • topical treatments (creams)
  • Mohs surgery.

We aim to surgically remove the cancerous cells fully for diagnosis and treatment. When we do this, we also take a narrow border of healthy tissue from around your BCC.

We cover your wound with a dressing and give you post operative care instructions.  It may take 2 weeks or more for the results of the examination to be ready.

If your tumour(s) are small, they can be cured when we completely remove the sample of your skin tissue for diagnosis.

Sometimes we need to repair the area with a skin graft or another type of plastic surgery.

Outlook after treatment

The outlook for patients is excellent after treatment for BCC.

What happens when we have removed the tumour 

If we have removed all of the cancer, you can view yourself as cured. However, if you have had one BCC, you are more at risk of developing another in the future.

Protecting yourself from further development of BCC

To protect yourself you must examine your skin every month to look for any unusual growths.  This will help to detect early warning signs of BCC.

Check for existing or new skin lumps or moles that get bigger, change colour, bleed or itch.  Most changes are harmless but they may indicate the start of a skin cancer. 

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Make a GP appointment if you are worried about changes in your skin.

Protection from the sun

Protecting your skin from the sun can reduce your risk of getting sun related skin cancer.

Follow these recommendations.

  • Protect yourself from the sun between 11am to 3pm (when the sun is at its strongest).
  • Wear protective clothing: hat, long sleeves, long skirt or trousers.
  • Apply a sunscreen regularly to exposed skin before going into the sun.  Use a brand with sun protection factor of 30 or above which can also block both UVA and UVB light. Re-apply the sun cream according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, especially if you are sweating or have been swimming when you are out in the sun.
  • Protect your children from the sun in the same way.
  • Avoid artificial sunlamps, including sunbeds and UV tanning cabinets.

More information

Use the drop down menu for more information on skin and other cancers

Contact information

Kingston Hospital skin cancer nursing team and Macmillan support worker, Monday to Friday 9am to 5 pm (Email: khft.skincancernurses1@nhs.net)

or

Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton Clinical Oncology and Radiology, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

or

Kingston Hospital dermatology and plastic surgery admin

or

Kingston Hospital Cancer Counselling Service, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm (Email: khft.cancercounsellingservice@nhs.net)

or

Kingston Hospital Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm (Email: khft.macinfoswru@nhs.net)

Telephone:

Skin cancer nursing team and Macmillan support worker: 020 8934 3002
 

Royal Marsden Hospital: 020 8661 3374
 

Dermatology and plastic surgery admin: 020 8934 6473
 

Cancer Counselling Service: 020 8934 2114
 

Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service: 020 8973 5001