A biopsy performed on a small lesion removed from President Joe Biden’s breast has been confirmed as basal cell carcinoma.
Doctors say that all the cancerous tissue has been removed and no further treatment is required.
What exactly is basal cell carcinoma – and what should people know about this common form of skin cancer?
Biden’s ‘cancerous tissue’ removed, White House says: ‘no further treatment required’
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is not only the most common type of skin cancer, it is also the most frequently diagnosed form of all cancers.
Each year, about 3.6 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed.
President Joe Biden shields his eyes from the sun as he walks toward Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland on October 20, 2021. A biopsy performed on a small lesion removed from the President’s breast has been confirmed as basal cell carcinoma. . Doctors say that all cancerous tissue has been removed and no further treatment is required. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
“These cancers form within the basal cells of the skin, which represent the deepest part of the epidermis — the outermost layer of the skin,” Dr. Saya Obayan is a board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer spokesperson practicing in Austin, Texas. Foundation, told Fox News Digital in an earlier interview.
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“Almost all BCCs occur on parts of the body that get a lot of sun exposure, such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders and back.”
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation—either from the sun or from a tanning bed—can cause basal cells to grow at an uncontrolled rate.
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation—either from the sun or from a tanning bed—can cause basal cells to grow at an uncontrolled rate. (iStock)
As with all skin cancers, prompt detection and action are key.
“Because BCCs grow slowly, most are treatable and cause less harm if caught early,” Dr. Obayan said.
As with all skin cancers, prompt detection and action are key.
BCC is the most common malignancy in white people, Dr. said Mark Siegel, a Fox News medical contributor based in New York City.
It also makes up 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
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“Overall, it’s easily treatable and almost never spreads,” he said.
Important note
A common warning sign is an open sore that is slow to heal, or that heals and comes back repeatedly.
Other red flags include skin irritation or red spots; A “shiny bump or nodule” that is clear, pink, red, or white in color; Or a small pink growth, the Skin Care Foundation explains on its website.
Each year, approximately 3.6 million people in the US are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
Another worrisome sign is a “scar-like area that is whitish, pale, or waxy in color,” which may indicate a more aggressive form of basal cell carcinoma.
Treatment for basal cell carcinoma
“This type of skin cancer is usually treated with local surgery, although it can also be removed with creams or radiation,” Dr. Siegel said.
Other treatments for BCC may include topical medications and cryosurgery, where tumors are frozen with liquid nitrogen. (iStock)
A procedure called Mohs surgery is widely regarded as the most effective technique for removing BCC.
First pioneered in the late 1960s and 70s, it has an impressive 99% success rate for healing Mohs lesions.
“Mohs surgery works by removing cancer cells in layers to preserve healthy tissue,” Dr. Siegel said.
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BCC Other treatments may include topical medications and cryosurgery, where the tumor is frozen with liquid nitrogen, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Other common types of skin cancer
The second most common form of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is also caused by UV exposure and is mainly BCC. Affects the same areas as
“Most SCCs can be treated easily and successfully, but if allowed to grow, they can be disfiguring and even fatal,” Dr. Obayan warned.
Those who notice any skin changes should consult their doctor. (iStock)
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and it can be fatal if it spreads deep into the skin or other parts of the body, the doctor said.
Anyone can get skin cancer – but certain factors increase the risk.
“These include a history of internal tanning or tanning, your skin type (the lighter your complexion, the more at risk you are) and genetics,” Dr. Obayan said.
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The Skin Cancer Foundation has posted photos of each of the warning signs of basal cell carcinoma on its website.
Those who notice any skin changes should consult their doctor.
