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What Happens to a BCC Left Unremoved?

asked 4 months ago by chauchat in San Diego
Latest answer by Stephen Prendiville, MD
Question viewed 466 times
Tags: basal cell carcinoma, skin cancer

I'm sure that there are a lot of people out there with basal and squamos cell cancers out there. What really happens if they never get them removed?

9 answers to What Happens to a BCC Left Unremoved?

+1

Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma Left Untreated

Leaving either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma untreated is not a good idea. Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly, destroying the normal healthy tissue around it. It can travel along nerves and destroy important structures so it's better to treat it with one of many techniques available. Rarely after years of no treatment or inadequate treatment it can metastasize or spread to other organs. Squamous cell carcinoma does have a risk to metastasis. The risk is higher for... more
Andrew Kaufman, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon

www.dermatology-center.com

+1

BCCA Untreated

As others have already mentioned, BCCA is generally slow growing and indolent. However, if given long enough, a basal cell carcinoma on the face will spread locally and can eventually affect nerves and even the brain. Patients with chronic immunosuppression, such as with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), develop much more aggressive variants. Given the cumulative solar exposure in SW Florida and an aging patient population, I have seen a number of patients with CLL and... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not treating BCC or SCC

In general,unless you are very old and very sick it is a bad idea to not treat a BCC or SCC. BCCs don't spread but can go down to and though bone. SCC can spread and can be fatal.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Basal call carcinoma can be Destructive

Basal cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes- spreads to other parts of the body. I had one patient that this happened to . It is known as the rodent ulcer. I had one patient who refused treatment and over three years lost his ear. Basal cell carcinoma can invade deeper tissues and bone How fast any cancer is going to grow can not be accurately predicted. Squamous cell carcinoma kills approximately 3000 people per year . It is unfortunate when patients do not treat conditions which are so... more
Joshua L. Fox, MD

Long Island Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Consequences of untreated skin cancer

Consequences of untreated skin cancer often depends on the type however squamous cell cancer untreated could spread and metastasize with very serious consequences, basal cell, rarely spread, but can be very locally destructive to underlying skin, nerve, muscle and bone. We dont recommend not treating skin cancer.
Steven Hacker, MD

West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

www.palmbeachdermasurgery.com

+1

Bcc left untreated

Basal cell caricnomas, even though they seem to be a harmless solvable problem, when left alone get bigger and deeper. They grow with roots and the cells invade the surrounding tissue- thus leading to a much bigger problem as time progresses.
Purvisha Patel, MD

Germantown Dermatologist
+1

Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Need Treatment?

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. While this rarely spreads to other parts of the body, if it is left untreated it will not go away. These skin cancers will continue to grow and destroy the surrounding tissue, creating a giant sore or ulcer that never heals on the skin. Because the majority of basal cell carcinoma appear on the head and neck, you can imagine how disfiguring these cancers can be if they start growing on your nose, cheek or eyelid. I have had patient... more
Adam J. Mamelak, MD

Austin Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Untreated basal cell carcinoma

In general, basal cell carcinomas are not life threatening skin cancers . They are however known as the rodent ulcer. This term comes from the fact that they are locally destructive to the tissue. They certainly can invade and eat in to bone. Aside from being disfiguring, this cancer can eventually spread and when it does it is more deadly than melanoma.
Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist
+1

Should I let a Basal Cell Carcinoma alone?

Neglecting any cancer is a bad idea. Of the three commonest skin cancers (basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma) if neglected basal cell will take the longest to be fatal. Unlike the other two which spread through the lymphatic vessels and through the blood and lymphatics resulting in higher and quicker fatalities, basal cell spreads locally and invades and destroys local structures. Every Plastic surgeon has seen the horrendous facial destruction of neglected basal cell carcinoma :... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

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