What is the basal cell skin? Types of basal cells

One of the most common types of skin cancer worldwide is the basal cell skin. Its name is due to the fact that it develops in the basal layer of the epidermis. It is this kind of skin cancer that oncologists diagnose in a third of cases. As a rule, this tumor is found in men who are older than 40 years. However, it can be diagnosed in both sexes and at any age, so it is important to know its symptoms and be able to recognize them in time.

There are several types, or forms, of basal cells:

• Ulcerative;
• Solid;
• Nodal;
• Scarring;
• Superficial.

All these types of basaliomas have common features, but they also have significant differences.

The most dangerous form of basal cell is ulcerative. This is due to the fact that ulcers lead to deformation of the tissues on which they form, and as a result, a large ulcer surface is formed on the skin, penetrating deeper than the upper layer of the skin. Ulcerative basal cell is very dangerous and difficult to treat. Ulcers are periodically covered with a hard crust, if it is removed, you can find a black, red or gray ulcer bottom. In this case, the edges of the ulcers are usually uneven and bumpy, and its dimensions can rapidly increase.

The most common form that can have basal cell carcinoma with a good chance of a remission is the nodular, or nodular basal cell.

Externally, the nodular basaloma resembles a large mole or a tubercle on the surface of the skin, which is colored in a pearl or reddish color. It is important that such a tumor can not show itself for a long time, its growth is slow, and the patient does not experience any painful sensations. When the tumor reaches a sufficiently large size, painful sores with a brown crust appear on its surface. Then around it there is formation of a ring-shaped raised shaft, which is the main sign of this form of basal cell. Most often, oncologists detect a nodal basalioma on the neck or face of the patient.

Solid basal cell skin is a type of nodular, it is also called a large-nodular skin. Its main difference from the nodular and ulcerative forms is that it grows only on the surface of the skin, without going deeper into it. Due to this, the chances of remission are great if the treatment is carried out at an early stage. A solid basal cell, like a nodular one, is one of the most frequently diagnosed.

Scarring basalioma has a dense consistency and is similar to a scar of a gray or pinkish hue. Despite the fact that the edges of such a basal cell also lie above the tumor itself, they are less pronounced than in other forms of basal cell carcinoma. This tumor differs in depth from which it penetrates into the layers of the skin, as well as its substantial growth along the skin. It is for this reason that cases of cancer recurrence are common in this form of basal cell carcinoma.

The superficial form is characterized by the appearance of small plaques on the skin, which can also be covered with small ulcers. Plaques usually have a small size and are similar in color to moles of a reddish-brown color. Such tumors appear not only on the face, they are often diagnosed on other parts of the body of patients. Very often there are plaques in the chest and lower leg. Such tumors can also develop over a long period of time, without disturbing the patient in any way. Most often, the surface basal cell is observed in women.

The adenoid basalioma visually resembles lace and consists of glandular tissue. This type of tumor is also quite common, often with timely treatment is achieved remission.

Knowing how skinny the skin is, what it is and how it manifests itself, you can diagnose it at an early stage and successfully cure.

Risk factors for basal cell disease

Despite the fact that basal cell can occur in people of any age and sex, there are factors that can signal that the likelihood of developing skin cancer is great. If a person is in this risk group, he needs to closely monitor his health and skin condition. There are precancerous diseases in which the basal cell often develops, the causes of the onset may be as follows:

• Bowen's disease;
• Piget's disease;
• Kery's erythroplasia;
• Pigment xeroderma;
• Keratoacanthoma;
• Granuloma;
• Cold abscess on the skin;
• Radiation ulcer;
• Trophic ulcer;
• Sunny keratosis;
• Seborrhoeic acanthoma.

Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma are common in people who sunbathe too much in the sun, are at risk. In addition, attentive to the new formations on the skin is necessary for those who work with tar or petroleum products, contact with substances such as arsenic, and also have a large number of birthmarks or freckles. Thus, many are at risk.

The presence of one or more of the aforementioned precancerous diseases suggests that one should be vigilant because these are frequent signs of basal cell disease or that it will appear in the near future.

Symptoms and signs of basal cell carcinoma

In order for the treatment to be carried out as soon as possible and lead to remission of the disease, early diagnosis of the basal cell is very important. For this you need to know the main signs of basal cell carcinoma. Detect their patient can independently, if he periodically inspects his body for neoplasms or changes in existing moles.

There are five main signs that a basal cell develops:

• Asymmetry of moles;
• Uneven or fuzzy edges of the moles;
• Changes in the color of moles (uneven staining, gray or black color);
• The diameter of the mole, exceeding 6 mm;
• The beginning of the rapid growth of the mole or a change in its size.

When one or more symptoms appear, immediate consultation with an oncologist is required. It is not necessary that the symptoms speak about the development of cancer, but you need to make sure that there is no basal cell or start treatment as soon as possible. From what stage of basal cell therapy is started, in many respects depends its effectiveness.

Stages of the disease

Like any cancer, the basal cell has its own stages:

1. The zero stage is characterized by the formation of cancer cells in the skin, but the absence of a formed tumor. Only an oncologist can tell what the basal cell looks like in the initial stage, because sometimes the symptoms are extremely minor, and sometimes completely absent.
2. The first stage is when basal cell begins to form, stage 1 is most favorable for treatment. The tumor size does not exceed 2 cm.
3. The second stage means the formation of a flat basilioma. Stage 2 of the basilioma of the skin is characterized by the growth of the tumor, which can now be up to 5 cm in diameter.
4. The third stage is diagnosed with a deep basal cell. The 3-stage skin basaloma has an expressed surface, the tumor sprouts into the dermis of the skin, muscles, fatty tissue, tendons and even bone. The patient can feel the soreness of the skin in the area of the neoplasm.
5. The fourth stage is the stage of papillary basal cell. Stage 4 of the basal cell skin is accompanied by the destruction of bones that are located under the skin in the area of tumor formation.

How to identify basal cells at an early stage? To do this, it is necessary to closely monitor the moles available on the body and to consult a doctor when they change.

Diagnosis of skin basal cell

Initial diagnosis can be done by the patient himself. To do this, he must examine his birthmarks and, if they start to increase in size, change the structure or color, consult a doctor. This is especially true for those people who are at risk.

If basal cell is suspected, the diagnosis should be made by an oncologist after the tests. Such analyzes include:

• Radiography;
• CT scan;
• ultrasonography;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• biopsy;
• Cytological and histological studies;
• Analyzes on oncomarkers.

It is these studies that can finally confirm or disprove the presence of basal cells, as well as provide information about its stage, the depth of penetration under the skin, its prevalence, and the degree of influence on other organs.

If the basal cell skin has already been diagnosed in the past, these studies need to be performed regularly to see a relapse or the appearance of new tumors in time.

First of all, a cytological and histological study is carried out, which makes it possible to distinguish the beginning cancer of the skin from symptom-like diseases - for example, from seborrheic keratosis. These tests for skin cancer reveal the presence of diseased cells. To conduct these studies, it is necessary to take a scraping from that part of the basal cell where there are dead tissues. To carry out these studies, scraping is taken from the surface of the basal cell. These studies can identify cells that have a rounded, oval or fusiform shape and are located in nest-like clusters. Each cell has a thin cytoplasm rim around itself. If such cells are found, then basal cell is diagnosed.

It is believed that biopsy is a more informative method for diagnosing skin cancer than histological or cytological studies. The essence of the method is to obtain tissues, after which they conduct their morphological study. Tissue collection should only be performed in the operating room, in conditions of complete sanitation. It is important that the doctor can correctly determine the boundaries of the neoplasm - this requires proper lighting in the room where the biopsy is performed. With basal biomass, three types of biopsy are used:

• Excisional biopsy;
• Incisional biopsy;
• Puncture biopsy.

If an excisional biopsy is used, the doctor will excise the entire tumor. In incisional biopsy, only a part of the tumor is excised. With a puncture biopsy, the doctor uses a tubular knife that allows tissue to be taken from the skin layer.

Blood tests often do not provide reliable information about the presence of basal cell, because there is no corresponding oncologic marker. Therefore, oncologists on suspicion of basal cell carry out the above studies: biopsy of the affected tissue, as well as cytological and histological studies.

The removal of the basal cell should be performed as soon as possible after it has been diagnosed.

Methods of treatment. Removal of basal cell

The most frequent on application by methods of treatment of a basioly are radiation therapy, medicamental treatment and surgical removal. It is important that the treatment method is chosen by an oncologist, based on individual indications. It is important to remember that the effectiveness of the treatment is determined not only by which treatment method is chosen, but also by the stage at which this treatment is started. Before starting therapy, the oncologist should tell the patient what a basal cell is and how to treat it. Most oncologists around the world agree that when a basal cell is diagnosed, how to treat it should be addressed depending on its stage, but at all stages, removal of the tumor is indicated.

Medication

The best results are noted with surgical removal of the neoplasm and further radiotherapy. However, in some cases it is worthwhile to carry out drug treatment. This is especially true at the initial stages of basal cell development, when the possible harm to the body from exposure is greater than the intended benefit. In this case, treatment begins with the intake of specific medications, which include ointments, gels and creams that affect the tumor and cause it to stop its development. This is shown in patients with basaliomas, whose diameter does not exceed 7 mm. When a small basal cell is diagnosed, ointment treatment can be very effective.

In addition, drug treatment is often prescribed after removal of the basal cell by a surgical method. In this case, cytotoxic drugs are used, the purpose of which is to prevent recurrence of basal cell carcinoma.

Surgery

When the basal cell exceeds 7 mm, it is best to use the surgical method of treatment. When a patient has a large basal cell, laser treatment leads to a prolonged remission, and in most cases basal cell disappears forever, laser treatment is not required again. When performing surgical treatment it is important to remember that often the edges of the tumor are uneven or fuzzy. In order to completely get rid of the tumor, it is necessary to establish the extent of its prevalence and to reveal the limits of the spread of sick cells.

The removal of the basiolyoma surgically can be performed using:

• Excision of the tumor;
• Curettage and fulguration;
• Operation MOS.

Excision of basal cell is carried out during her biopsy. This method is used when the tumor has small dimensions - then during the selection of tissues for research, complete removal of the tumor is possible. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and the basal cell is removed along with its fields, so that no further spread of cancer cells occurs. After excision, a small scar is formed, which will disappear after a short time.

Curettage and fulguration are used on all parts of the body, except for the ears, temples, lips, eyelids and nose. This is due to the fact that when there is a basal cell in these places there is a chance of relapse, and during the operation it is impossible to make sure that all the cancer cells are completely removed. The essence of the operation is scraping, and then using an electric current that helps stop the bleeding. It is best to use this method in a basal cell with distinct edges.

Operation MOS is a new word in the surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma. During the operation, a layer is removed after the tissue layer, until a special microscope shows that the entire tissue with malignant cells is removed. This method promotes maximum preservation of healthy tissues with maximum removal of patients. You can use the method on the entire surface of the body.

If the basal cell size is small, oncologists often recommend cryotherapy. This is considered a gentle method of treatment, which is most easily tolerated by the patient and does not take much time. After cryotherapy, the patient's skin quickly heals, and the chances of a relapse of the disease are extremely low when the entire affected skin is removed. The essence of cryotherapy is the removal of cancer cells and tumors by means of their freezing.

Treatment with radiation

In the advanced stages of cancer, radiation is necessary. This is due to the fact that the tumor penetrates deep under the skin and often affects other organs and even bones. Therefore, complex treatment is required to fight cancer cells. In some cases, photodynamic therapy with basal cell therapy is indicated.

Irradiation with basal cell is usually easily tolerated by patients. However, in 20% of cases complications occur which can manifest as headaches, conjunctivitis, cataracts and trophic ulcers. If such complications occur, then it is necessary to carry out symptomatic treatment.

If the patient is older than 65 years, the treatment of basal cell carcinoma is carried out only by irradiation.

As a rule, one course of irradiation is enough to defeat the basalioma in the initial stages. But if necessary, the oncologist can appoint additional courses. There are two types of irradiation for this disease:

• Close-focus radiation therapy;
• Irradiation with beta rays.

In the first case the treatment course implies 1 month of irradiation 3 times a week. When exposed to beta rays, it may also require several irradiation sessions.

Treatment of basiolyoma after irradiation should be prescribed by the treating oncologist. It is important that after the treatment the patient is still observed for a while with the doctor, regardless of the stage at which the disease was diagnosed. This will help prevent relapse, that is, the re-formation of basal cell carcinoma.

Treatment with chemotherapy

In some cases, oncologists prescribe chemotherapy to patients with basal metabolic syndrome. In this case, we are talking about platinum-containing regimens of chemotherapy. Among the most commonly used drugs are Cisplatinum, Doxorubicin and Methotrexate. Treatment lasts up to 2 weeks, several courses may be required, the intervals between which should be 3 weeks.

Folk therapy in the treatment of skin basal cell

Basaloma is a disease that has been known for many years. That is why not only official medicine, but also the people's have their own ways of treating with basalioma. Even oncologists are often advised to use proven folk medicine in addition to medication, radiation therapy or surgery.

How to treat the basalic folk remedies so as to get rid of it? First of all, it is necessary to use masks, ointments and tinctures based on celandine, round-faced wintergreen and hemlock. Purity is a wonderful natural antiseptic that helps to clean wounds, which is especially important in the ulcerative form of basal cell carcinoma. Freshly obtained celandine juice can be applied safely to wounds. In addition, you can prepare tincture. This will require, in addition to the celandine, a glass of boiling water, which places a teaspoon of celandine. The resulting tincture is left for a day, and then drunk within one day.

From hemlock can be prepared tincture, which is advised to use even in the last stages of the disease. To make the tincture you need to take a glass of grass and four glasses of alcohol. The ingredients are mixed, shaken and left to infuse for three weeks. After this period, the tincture is ready for use. Drink tincture you need to start with 5 drops a day, gradually bringing up to 30 drops a day. You can drink tincture by adding it to tea. Three-time use of tincture daily can significantly improve the patient's well-being and stop the development of cancer.

You can also make masks and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin with basal cell. In this case, the treatment of basiolioma with folk remedies, including masks, should be performed under the compulsory supervision of the attending physician.

Masks for application to the skin are prepared from carrots, aloe or yeast. Masks from carrots - the most affordable and inexpensive, because this vegetable can be purchased at any time of the year and at a low price. To make a mask, you just need to grate the carrots on a grater.

To prepare a mask from aloe, mix aloe juice or the crushed leaves of this plant with cedar oil and birch tar. Apply the mask to the tumor several times a day.

When basal cell is diagnosed, treatment with folk properties can give good results, especially if it is performed in parallel with medical or surgical treatment.

Life expectancy and prognosis with osteoarthritis

If the doctor-oncologist diagnosed "basal cell", the prognosis of recovery and life expectancy of the patient depends on three factors:

1. The stage of the disease on which treatment is started;
2. The correctness of the choice of the method of treatment;
3. Form or type of basal cell.

As a rule, with a timely begun treatment, doctors' forecasts are favorable. This tumor rarely gives metastases to other organs or penetrates deep under the skin, so it can be disposed of once and for all. In addition, if the spread of cancer cells is not too large at the time of treatment, then relapse is almost impossible.

Most patients after removal of the tumor live 10 years or more. This suggests that the basal cell can be removed permanently, and the cure can be complete. The best prognosis is in those cases when the diameter of the basal cell does not exceed 2 cm, and the tumor did not have time to germinate into the subcutaneous fatty tissue. In this case, treatment does not take much time, it is effective and allows you to achieve complete disposal of the disease.

For diagnosis and treatment of the disease it is important to consult a doctor in time!

Source of the clinic Healthy Skin Center