Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in New Zealanders.  It arises from the bottom layer of the skin surface and generally grows very slowly over a number of months. It virtually never spreads to other parts of the body. It can present in a number of ways ranging from a red scaly patch of skin, to a pearly lump with prominent blood vessels on the surface. If left untreated the cancer will continue to grow and may cause ulceration of the skin.

Basal cell carcinoma is almost always caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light.  Basal cell carcinoma, if neglected or inappropriately managed can give rise to significant morbidity and even death.  There are a number of useful and proven treatment modalities.

It is estimated that approximately 40% of New Zealanders will develop a basal cell carcinoma in the course of their life time.   Basal cell carcinoma is also the most common cancer occurring in men.

Basal cell cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body and thus rarely cause death although they can and do result in considerable inconvenience and discomfort, disfigurement and scarring.