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Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

At a glance:

Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Symptoms:

Presents as a skin lesion that may appear as a shiny nodule, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a red, scaly patch. It occurs commonly on sun-exposed skin in the head and neck area.

Diagnosis:

Typical clinical appearance. Usually confirmed through a biopsy, where a sample of the skin lesion is examined under a microscope to check for skin cancer cells.

Treatment:

Treatment options vary based on the size, depth, and location of the cancer. They may include surgical removal, topical treatments, or a combination of these methods.

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

What is Basal cell carcinoma?

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is a common form of skin cancer that usually arises from prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays. It often appears as unusual skin changes such as new growths or sores that don’t heal, typically on sun-exposed areas such as the face and neck. While it is unlikely to spread internally, it can cause significant damage to surrounding skin tissues if not treated promptly.

Our approach for Basal Cell Carcinoma treatment involves carefully considering the specific characteristics of each case, with a focus on effective treatments. Additionally, taking steps to prevent the development of BCC is crucial, which is why we emphasise the importance of regular skin cancer checks and sun protection strategies.

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Do I need the BCC Treatment?

At Clinica London, we understand that dealing with Basal Cell Carcinoma can feel challenging, but our expert team of dermatologists are here to support you.

It’s important to know when to seek professional help for any changes to your skin. If you notice unusual changes such as new growths or sores that don’t heal, particularly in areas exposed to the sun, a consultation with our expert team is crucial.

Our Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Jennifer Crawley offers comprehensive evaluations to assess your skin’s health, including during our thorough, detailed consultation process. During your appointment, they conduct a full history and a careful examination of the lesion, including dermatoscopy. This method of direct examination utilises a dermatoscope, a specialised instrument with a magnifier and light source, allowing for an in-depth inspection of skin lesions. They examine lesions on all body parts, including the torso, limbs, face, neck, hands, and feet.

If the suspected BCC is on the eyelids or around the eye area (periorbital) the ophthalmic surgeon specialising in skin tumours excision and reconstruction will be best suited to make the diagnosis and carry out an inciaional biopsy, confirm the diagnosis and do the delicate oculoplastic BCC full excision and reconstruction.

A skin biopsy is necessary before surgical treatment for more severe BCC cases. This incisional biopsy provides a detailed examination of the skin tissue to diagnose the condition accurately. This process involves local anaesthesia and removal or sampling of the area, followed by sending the sample for histopathology analysis. The Dermatologist or Ophthalmologist then discusses the results with you post-analysis and advise on the necessary treatment.

If you’re concerned about skin changes or BCC, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with us today!

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Treatment Specific

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is highly treatable, and in most cases, likely to be curable, since they are generally not aggressive and don’t tend to spread. However, the complexity of treatment may increase in cases where BCC has been left untreated for an extended period, or where it occurs in more sensitive areas such as close to the eye or on the nose or ear.

At Clinica London, our Basal Cell Carcinomas treatment approach is tailored based on various factors, such as:

Site and Size of BCC: Considering the affected area and the extent of the carcinoma.
Types of Basal Cell Carcinomas: Nodular BCC, Superficial BCC, Morpheaform (also known as Sclerosing) BCC, and Pigmented BCC.
Condition of Surrounding Skin: Assessing the health and characteristics of the skin around the BCC.
Number of BCCs: Some patients may have multiple carcinomas needing simultaneous treatment.
Patient’s Overall Health: Personal health factors determine the treatment plan.

Surgical Excision

Once the clinical diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma is confirmed, surgical excision is the most common and preferred treatment type. Our consultants have extensive experience with this approach and perform this treatment with precision and care.

Excision surgical process involves delicately removing the entire tumour with a scalpel, along with a safety margin of nearby tissue. The size of this margin depends on the tumour’s characteristics. After removal, the tissue is sent for lab analysis to ensure that all cancerous cells have been removed. This method is especially effective for smaller, early-stage BCCs, resulting in cure rates above 95% for most areas of the body.

Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a specialised and highly effective method for treating Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), particularly for tumours in delicate areas such as the eyelids, nose, face, lips, ears, scalp, fingers, toes or genitals. This precision technique involves removing the tumour and a tiny tissue margin in stages, all in a single visit.

Each removed layer is examined under a microscope to ensure no cancer cells remain, with the process repeated until the tissue is cancer-free. Mohs surgery is renowned for its high cure rate, up to 99% for first-time treated tumours, and is ideal for large, aggressive, rapidly growing tumours or those with indistinct edges.

Our dermatologists and ophthalmologist will work closely with the Mohs dermatological surgeon when this is indicated. Reconstruction is usually by the Clinica London Dermatologist or Ophthalmic Oculoplastic Surgeon if the BCC has involved the eyelids and periorbital area.

Topical Medicine

Different topical medications treat shallow BCC and have a high cure rate of 80 and 90 per cent.

These creams or gels are directly applied to the affected skin areas and are administered by the Dermatologist.

5-FU, one topical medication, works as a topical chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, while another medication activates the immune system against the cancerous cells. Various creams also works on boosting your body´s immunity to help remove superficial BCCs, used five times a week over a 6 weeks course of treatment. Only certain shallow BCCs or multiple shallow BCCs are suitable for topical medication.

It is important to remember that with these non-surgical methods, no tissue is examined under a microscope, so complete tumour removal cannot be confirmed. These medications must be used for several weeks under careful guidance from your dermatologist.

Does Treatment hurt?

At Clinica London, we understand that one of the concerns about Basal Cell Carcinoma treatment is whether it will be painful. For treatments requiring surgical intervention, such as excision or Mohs surgery, local anaesthesia is used to ensure your comfort and minimise any discomfort during the procedure. For those undergoing treatment with topical medications, these are applied directly to the skin and are painless.

Our team is committed to making your treatment as comfortable as possible.

Recovery & Aftercare

At Clinica London, we understand the importance of recovery and aftercare following Basal Cell Carcinoma surgery. We encourage our patients to take gentle care of themselves during this period. Limiting physical activities to avoid straining the treated area and ensure proper healing is crucial. Additionally, keeping the surgical site clean and moist is also important. We recommend using a neutral ointment as directed.

Protecting your skin from the sun is vital post-treatment, so we advise using high-SPF sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding direct sunlight. Your regular follow-up appointments and vigilant self-monitoring of your skin are key to a successful and smooth recovery.

OUR CONSULTANTS

At Clinica London, we take great pride in our team of esteemed consultants at the forefront of Basal Cell Carcinoma treatment. Our consultants bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to provide the best care for our patients.

Dr Jennifer Crawley is a highly skilled Consultant Dermatologist with extensive experience in both paediatric and adult dermatology. Her expertise in skin cancers, particularly Basal Cell Carcinoma, is bolstered by her role at University College London Hospital. Dr. Crawley’s approach to treatment is comprehensive, involving medical management and advanced surgical procedures.

Dr Crawley and Dr Herath are committed to delivering exceptional care while providing personalised and effective Basal Cell Carcinoma treatments.

Ms Jane Olver is the Oculoplastic Surgeon who specifically looks after suspected and proven Basal Cell Carcinoma around and near the eyes, known as the periorbital and eyelids area. She brings her extensive knowledge and delicate oculoplastic reconstructive expertise to this specialised area.

Ms Olver provides exceptional skills in assessment and oculoplastic surgery of the eyelids.

Dr Jennifer Crawley

Consultant Dermatologist
Children & Adults

Miss Jane Olver

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Oculoplastic (Eyelid) & Lacrimal Specialist
Medical Director
President International Society Dacryology and Dry Eye 2024-2026

Ms Michelle Ting

Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr Rebeca Calado

Consultant Dermatologist
Children & Adults
Specialist in Dermatovenereology

Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)

Pricing

Treatment	Price range
Consultation Fees	£300 – £350

Depending on the treatment required, a bespoke quote for surgical excision and reconstruction is prepared for the patient.

Basal cell carcinoma FAQS

Basal Cell Carcinoma, or BCC, is one of the most common types of skin cancer. One out of two people will have BCC before age 65. BCC is rarely a life-threatening condition, but it should be taken seriously – if left untreated for too long, BCC can be disfiguring, especially when located on the face, and even lead to loss of local function, including vision, double vision and watering eye if located near the eye and tear duct. We stress the importance of getting a basal cell carcinoma diagnosis by booking a consultation if you have a lesion that you suspect may be a BCC.

Before the age of 50, low-risk, very early, small, flat Basal Cell carcinoma can be treated with ointments applied daily for several weeks or months. Radiation therapy before this age is not generally recommended due to the risk of developing new skin cancer in the same place in 10-15 years. Near the eyes, the periorbital and eyelid area, all suspected BCCs should be biopsied and treated promptly so as to avoid undue local spread.

Basal Cell carcinoma rarely metastasises and is quite easily treated if discovered early; the downside is that, due to the depth of the growth, it can be quite disfiguring. The earlier this is treated, the less disfiguring the surgery will be. All BCCs should be removed, even if they are slow growing.

BCC skin cancer may be removed with procedures such as surgical excision or Mohs surgery, with the possible reconstruction of the skin and surrounding tissue. Basal Cell Carcinoma is most often treated with surgery to remove all the skin cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it.

BCC skin cancer grows slowly, so much so that it often goes unnoticed as new growth. The growth rate itself varies from each tumour, some growing as large as ½ inch (or about 1 centimetre) in one year. BCC rarely metastasises to other parts of the body.

UV (ultraviolet) rays from sun exposure or tanning beds are the most common cause of BCC skin cancer. When exposed to UV rays, the DNA in your skin cells is damaged gradually over time with each exposure. DNA contains code for how your skin cells grow; over time, consistent damage to the DNA can eventually cause skin cancer cells to develop.

Award Winning Clinic in London

Clinica London is a leading ophthalmology and dermatology medical clinic. It has a sense of passion for helping patients. The clinic’s consultants are highly skilled professionals who have received British, European, and international awards in their respective fields. Clinica is honest and offers transparent treatment advice in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

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Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

What is Basal cell carcinoma?

Do I need the BCC Treatment?

Treatment Specific

Surgical Excision

Mohs Surgery

Topical Medicine

Does Treatment hurt?

Recovery & Aftercare

OUR CONSULTANTS

Dr Jennifer Crawley

Miss Jane Olver

Ms Michelle Ting

Dr Rebeca Calado

Basal cell carcinoma FAQS

Award Winning Clinic in London

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