How Fast Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Grow?

Basal cell cancers can come in a variety of presentations, some common and some rare. There are different vertical and horizontal growth phases of skin cancer and there is no set pattern of growth or presentation. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian 

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are known as non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The lifetime risk of NMSC among Caucasian-Americans is at least 1 in 5. The actual growth rates vary depending on one's immune status, amount of pre-existing sun damage, etc. Where SCC typically grows faster than BCC, BCC can be very insidious with indistinct borders, and may not be recognized for years. For that reason, it is critical that every fair-skin person gets a head to toe skin check once a year and BCC's on face, scalp, neck should undergo Mohs micrographic surgery.

Basal cell carcinomas typically grow slowly, but they can be invasive and destructive over time. The location also matters.  2mm of growth in the middle of the back would not make much difference. 2mm of growth on the nose or eyelid would have a greater impact. Mohs surgery is typically the best option in the more sensitive areas since it has the highest cure rate and allows the preservation of the surrounding healthy tissue.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most commonly occurring type of skin cancer. When compared to other types of skin cancers, BCC is a relatively slower growing family of malignant tumors. BCCs are usually caused by cumulative UV exposure. Common types of BCCs include:NodularMicronodularMorpheaform/sclerosingPigmentedSuperficialInfiltrativeThere are other types of BCCs, but the above are amongst the most common variants. Each type, along with location determine risk of recurrence and metastasis. There are certain types of BCCs that are faster growing.

The simple answer is, why put off for tomorrow what should have been done yesterday? Find a surgeon that you trust and has a lot of experience. The longer you wait, the larger the tumor and the larger the scar will be.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are considered "slow" growing tumors when compared to other skin cancers.   They are locally destructive tumors.  However, please keep in mind that the rate of growth and the amount of tissue damage from a BCC will vary from individual to individual depending on multiple factors.    

The benefit of Mohs surgery is that this procedure will be able to pinpoint  and remove the visible portions of the BCC as well as the roots of the BCC so that the surgical site will be clear of carcinoma.  After the margins are clear of carcinoma, the surgical defect can be safely reconstructed.  

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tends to grow slowly and invade locally and usually do not kill people the way squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma can (these can spread thru the blood stream called metastasis which BCC does not).  But it's difficult to generalize about how fast they grow--they can grow slowly or quickly.  There are some aggressive BCC's which can invade deeply and into the nerves which can create functional problems (especially if it involves the eye, nose, mouth, or ears).  What you see on the surface may just be the tip of the iceberg which is why it's important to map out the extent of the tumor with Mohs micrographic surgery.  If you've already had the lesion for 5 years, then waiting a little longer probably won't make much difference.  For new suspicious lesions, it's best to get it looked at by a dermatologist or Mohs surgeon.  It's typical to have to wait a few weeks to months to get the results of the biopsy and then get scheduled for surgery.

Basal Cell Carcinomas tend to be a slow growing skin cancer with little risk of metastasis to other body sites; however, the skin cancer does slowly and insidiously grow, destroying the normal healthy tissue. The reason that basal cell carcinomas are treated is because of this slow growth where the healthy tissue is replaced or infiltrated by the skin cancer and because these tumors can spread along nerves, blood vessels, cartilage, etc and be difficult to remove. The fact that you know the tumor has been there for at least 5 years would suggest that it is probably going to be larger than how it appears to you. In other words, the cancer has continued to grow during the five years before you saw the dermatologist. The best option for treating the skin cancer is through Mohs surgery which will give you the highest cure rate and preserve the greatest amount of healthy tissue for reconstrution.

It is true that basal cell carcinoma has a relatively slower growth rate than other skin cancers, but it is still cancer, meaning that it will continue to grow and be destructive. After a long period of neglect, it might even attach to a local nerve or blood vessel and risk spread to deeper tissues or other parts of the body.

The location under your nose may mean that while your Mohs surgeon can remove all of the tumor cells with 99% accuracy or greater, it could be a complex area to repair anatomically, so going to a plastic surgeon can be a good option for a nice repair.

It sounds like you are in good hands, and no matter how much the basal cell has grown, it will be gone. The fact that it was an obvious BCC with a predictable shape and appearance, is a sign in your favor that it may have very well-defined borders and be easy for the Mohs surgeon to remove. Good luck!

Basal Cell Cancer does grow slowly. That being said, in your post you mentioned I have had it for 5 years. Does that mean you had other basal cell cancers or this particular lesion? Five years ago was this particular lesion discovered for the first time? Remember just because a lesion is noticed doesn't mean it wasn't there a long time before that. That is the reason it is hard to ascertain growth rates for basal cell exactly because who would subject themselves to that study? Lets watch the skin cancer on your face and see what happens after five years. Also how would they be able to tell how far ths skin cancer is initially without biopsy or excision therefore distorting or removing the cancer. Hope this helps. Mohs surgery with reconstruction with a plastic surgeon (plastic/facial plastic/ophthalmic plastic) is a great combination and gets a great outcome from a potentially disfiguring problem.