An Argument Against Basal Cell Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Skin Cancer
Basal cell skin cancer is a cancer that develops from the skin’s basal cells. The basal cells are located in the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis and can be found in the deepest layer of the epidermis [1]. Basal cells constantly divide to form new cells in order to replace the squamous cells. As basal cells move up in the epidermis, the basal cells flatten and eventually become simple squamous cells. Separating the epidermis from deeper layers of the skin, the basement membrane is a barrier, which can be used as a protective mechanism for preventing cancer cells into the dermis or metastasis of cancer cells [2].
In the United States basal cell skin cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer. In 2010 the incidence rate in the United States was 2.8 million people. The mortality rate for basal cell skin cancer is only 3000 and therefore the 5-year survival rate is very high. Although there is a high percentage of survival with the cancer, it should still be taken seriously because of skin disfigurations. There is a higher prevalence of basal cell skin cancer as people age, especially for Caucasians, Chinese, and the Japanese due to less melanin the melanocytes produce. Melanin helps protect the skin against UV radiation; the …show more content…
If the cancer recurs, the patient might be referred to another method of treatment. An excision is removal of the tumor by simply cutting it out along with normal skin. Mohs surgery has the best cure rate for the carcinoma. The surgery can be best used for larger tumors, however, it is more complex and time consuming compared to other methods. Radiation therapy is an excellent approach to cure cancer in delicate spots e.g. eyelids, nose and ears. Radiation is a good therapeutic tool for individuals who developed cancer on their scalp because the only actively dividing cells would be the cancer
Basal cell skin cancer is a cancer that develops from the skin’s basal cells. The basal cells are located in the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis and can be found in the deepest layer of the epidermis [1]. Basal cells constantly divide to form new cells in order to replace the squamous cells. As basal cells move up in the epidermis, the basal cells flatten and eventually become simple squamous cells. Separating the epidermis from deeper layers of the skin, the basement membrane is a barrier, which can be used as a protective mechanism for preventing cancer cells into the dermis or metastasis of cancer cells [2].
In the United States basal cell skin cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer. In 2010 the incidence rate in the United States was 2.8 million people. The mortality rate for basal cell skin cancer is only 3000 and therefore the 5-year survival rate is very high. Although there is a high percentage of survival with the cancer, it should still be taken seriously because of skin disfigurations. There is a higher prevalence of basal cell skin cancer as people age, especially for Caucasians, Chinese, and the Japanese due to less melanin the melanocytes produce. Melanin helps protect the skin against UV radiation; the …show more content…
If the cancer recurs, the patient might be referred to another method of treatment. An excision is removal of the tumor by simply cutting it out along with normal skin. Mohs surgery has the best cure rate for the carcinoma. The surgery can be best used for larger tumors, however, it is more complex and time consuming compared to other methods. Radiation therapy is an excellent approach to cure cancer in delicate spots e.g. eyelids, nose and ears. Radiation is a good therapeutic tool for individuals who developed cancer on their scalp because the only actively dividing cells would be the cancer