Ask a doctor

I Think I Have Basal Cell Carcinoma on my Chin?

I've had a crusting, never-healing sore on my chin, on the fleshy pad bit, just under my lip and slightly to the left, for over eleven years. Don't ask me why I never got it seen to, I'm so filled with regret now that I suspect it might be bcc. As its been going on for so long, I'm now terrified any surgery would be horribly disfiguring. Would it potentially take my lip away? Or even bone?

Doctor Answers 8

What if I have basal cell cancer on my chin

February 21st, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

First, stop worrying and beating yourself up. No matter what it is, that's not going to help. Second, make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist (and Mohs surgeon if you can find one) and have the site biopsied. Only then will you know for certain what the site is or is not. At that point you can discuss options, should you need them. Mohs surgeons are skilled at reconstructions. That's part of the training. So there's a lot that can be done to minimize "disfigurement" as you call it. But until you know for certain that what you have is a BCC, no one is even sure you need to have Mohs done.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD


Las Vegas Dermatologist
4.6 out of 5 stars 16 reviews

Basal Cell Carcinoma on Chin?

December 11th, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for your question. Basal cell carcinomas are typically very slow growing cancers, and may not be noticed by a health care provider or the patient for months or sometimes several years. Every case decision must be made on a patient by patient basis. I would recommend having your lesion examined as soon as possible. Often times, reconstruction options are available that with good aftercare may leave minimal scarring, depending on the size of the tumor. I hope this helps.

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
Bay Area Dermatologist
4.2 out of 5 stars 11 reviews

Basal cell cancer on the face - Los Angeles

August 9th, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Start out by obtaining a biopsy by a board certified skin cancer expert. After the diagnosis is made, then the next step of planning surgery and reconstruction is performed. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Web reference: http://surgery90210.com/cosmetic-dermatology/27/skin-cancer.aspx

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 90 reviews

During an examination the dermatologist will be able to biopsy the area to determine if your sore is in fact cancerous.

July 15th, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It’s of upmost important to have the affected area examined immediately by a board certified dermatologist as early treatment is the best way to not only avoid cosmetic issues, but also ensure the best outcome and reduce the risk of cancer metastasis.  During an examination the dermatologist will be able to biopsy the area to determine if your sore is in fact cancerous. If it is indeed BCC it’s important to find a skilled Mohs surgeon who can provide you with effective and safe cancer removal.

Joseph R. Payne, MD

Joseph R. Payne, MD
Atlanta Dermatologic Surgeon

BCC chin

February 25th, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Lindsay.  Even if it's been there for 11 years, sometimes these BCC don't grow as rapidly. Also the chin is an area that is not as difficult to reconstruct compared to other sites.  Go in with a positive attitude.  It might not be as bad as you think.  I've had tons of patients who come in thinking they were gonna lose and ear or nose just to have a pretty minor surgery.

Nobuyoshi Kageyama, MD

Nobuyoshi Kageyama, MD
Seattle Dermatologist

A biopsy will make the diagnosis

February 22nd, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Pick up the phone and make an appointment to see a board certified dermatologist, preferably someone who is also a member of the Mohs College.  The first step is to determine what the growth is so that the appropriate treatment and cure is selected.  If this is a neglected BCC on your chin, Mohs will probably be the treatment of choice.   Go to the MohsCollege.org to find a fellow in the Mohs College to do your surgery.   Make that appointment!

Steven Swengel, MD

Steven Swengel, MD
Los Gatos Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 11 reviews

Next step

February 22nd, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

If you have a growth on your face, it should be evaluated by a dermatologist and he or she can advise you if it needs to be biopsied or not. That is best next step.

Steven Hacker, MD

Steven Hacker, MD
West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

Get an appointment for a dermatologist soon

February 22nd, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I would recommend you get this evaluated by a board certified dermatologist as soon as possible. Given your story, it may well be a basal cell carcinoma. I understand how frightful this may be to you but delaying it will only make the cancer grow larger. If the dermatologist finds it to be worrisome and biopsies it, and it is a skin cancer, they should refer you to a Mohs and Reconstructive surgeon who can treat it with surgery in a way that minimizes how much skin you lose (take the cancer out and not a lot of normal skin). Make sure this person is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery and has done a fellowship in Mohs Surgery. Good luck.

Omar Ibrahimi, MD, PhD

Omar Ibrahimi, MD, PhD
Stamford Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 21 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.