What happens if a basal cell carcinoma goes untreated?

What happens if a basal cell carcinoma goes untreated?

Answer by Mr. Smartypants
It very seldom metastasizes, it's very unlikely you could die from it. But if left untreated it can grow bigger. If it's close to your eyes or nose it can cause damage to them.

Answer by april
The only site I could find about someone dying from bcc was for a man who didn't get treatment for it for years and when he finally arrived at the hospital, the infection from leaving a big oozing wound open on his back, had gone septic and he died from infection, not cancer.

Answer by Ashley
This is a skin cancer that does not often spread to other parts of the body but it can. I am a medical student and I have seen a case of this before during my neuropathology rotation. We saw a patient's slides who had a basal cell carcinoma that metastasized (spread) to his brain. Just because it rarely metastasizes does not mean that it cannot. Cancer is not something to be messed with.

Answer by Orion
Basal cell carcinoma does not ussually spread to other parts of the body. But if left untreated, there is that chance.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments! Information about multiple myeloma and other plasma cell neoplasms.

Skin Cancer Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma

Dr. Shane Chapman, MD discusses Skin Cancer Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma. See more at www.dermnet.com PLEASE RATE AND COMMENT!!! Nodular BCC is the most common form. The lesion begins as a pearly white or pink, dome-shaped papule resembling a molluscum contagiosum or dermal nevus. The mass extends peripherally. The lesion may remain flat. Traction on the surrounding skin accentuates the pearly border. Telangiectatic vessels become prominent and easily recognizable through the thin epidermis as the lesion enlarges. The growth pattern is irregular, forming an oval mass and the surface may become multilobular. The center frequently ulcerates and bleeds and subsequently accumulates crust and scale. Ulcerated BCCs were formerly designated rodent ulcers. Ulcerated areas heal with scarring, and patients often assume their conditions are improving. This cycle of growth, ulceration, and healing continues as the mass extends peripherally and deeper. Masses of enormous size may be attained. BCCs may present as nonhealing leg ulcers. Biopsy specimens should be taken of leg ulcers that do not respond to treatment. The tissue mass of a nodular BCC has a distinctive consistency that can be appreciated during curettage or biopsy. It has poor cohesive forces and collapses or breaks down when manipulated with a curette. This is an important diagnostic feature that supports the clinical impression during the biopsy procedure.
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Information about multiple myeloma and other plasma cell neoplasms.

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