Types of Basal Cell Epithelioma and Its Treatments

Basal cell epithelioma is a slow-growing destructive skin tumor. Although it origin is uncertain, experts are thinking that it originates when, under certain conditions, basal cells become carcinomatous instead of differentiating into sweat glands, sebum, and hair. Majority of these tumors appear on parts of the body with abundant follicles, like the face. Basal Cell Epithelioma usually occurs in persons over age 40. It is more prevalent in blond, fair skinned males, and is the most common malignant tumor affecting whites. Basal cell epitheliomas are diagnosed by clinical appearance and by biopsy test.

Causes of Basal Cell Epithelioma: Excessive sun exposure (most common), Exposure to Radiation, Burns.

Types of BCE:

• Noduloulcerative (skin lesion) - this occur most often on the face, particularly on the forehead, eyelid margins, nasolabial folds.
• Superficial - appear most often on the chest and back
• Sclerosing (morphealike) - these appear on the head and neck.

a. Characteristic of Noduloulcerative BCE:

• Early stage lesions: Small, smooth pinkish translucent popular lesions with telangiectatic vessels on the surface and occasionally pigmentation.
• Late stage lesions : enlarged, center depressed, borders firm and elevated, eventually ulcerating and becoming locally invasive.
• "Rodent ulcers"- ulcerated tumors, which rarely spread. These occur if late-stage lesions are not treated. They can spread, if untreated, to vital areas and become infected or cause massive hemorrhage if they invade large blood vessels

b. Characteristic of Superficial BCE :

• Oval shaped, light-colored plaques with sharply defined, slightly elevated threadlike borders.
• Scaly, with small atrophic areas in the center that resemble psoriasis or eczema.
• Usually chronic and noninvasive

c. Characteristic of Sclerosing BCE :

• Waxy, sclerotic, yellow to white plaques without distinct borders.
• Often resemble small patches of scleroderma.

Treatment of BCE:

Depending on the size, location, and depth of the lesion, treatment may include curettage and electrodesiccation, chemotherapy, surgical excision, irradiation, or chemosurgery. Natural remedy for BCE is the application of aloe vera gelly, aloe propolis crème , sunscreen and taking of aloe vera gel.

Curettage - in surgery, is the use of a curette to remove tissue by scraping. It may be used to obtain a biopsy of a mass to determine if it is some kind of tumor.

Electrodesiccation - is a use of electric current to destroy cancerous cells and to control bleeding.

How to care for patients with BCE:

• Person with BCE should eat frequent small meals that are high in protein like protein supplement or protein drink.
• Educate the patient that to avoid recurrence, excessive sun exposure should be avoided, always apply a strong sunscreen to protect the skin from the ultraviolet rays.
• Instruct the patient with noduloulcerative basal cell epithelioma to wash his face gently with a mild liquid non soap cleanser when ulcerations and crusting occur. Scrubbing too vigorously may cause bleeding.