What Happens to a BCC Left Unremoved?

Question

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?

Jacob Sedgh, MD · Answer

Basal cell carcinoma is a very slow growing malignancy. It's mode of progression is mostly by local destruction of the tissue. This usually happens over a very long period of time (months to even years). There are multiple subtypes of this cancer and the more agressive types can grow faster and even metastasis to lymph nodes in rare cases.

Thus, even though this is not the type of cancer to usually shorten the patient's lifespan, if neglected, particularly in sensitive areas such as facial structures, it can cause significant morbidly or deformity.

Hooman Khorasani, MD · Answer

Basal cell carcinomas are very slow growing malignancies but if left untreated they can cause bleeding, ulceration and invasion. In some cases they can rarely metastasize.  Never leave a basal cell carcinoma untreated as they become a much bigger problem if you don't treat them early.  Neglecting a basal cell carcinoma is a bad idea.  Please see an expert dermatologist - Mohs surgery is the gold standard for certain types of basal cell carcinomas.  I hope this helps.

Salvatore Pacella, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

It is rare for someone to die from non-melanoma skin cancers.  Nonetheless they can be aggressive.  If left untreated basal cell cancers can erode deep into cartilage and bone and are very locally destructive.  squamous cell cancers can be more aggressive and sometimes can metastasize to local lymph nodes.  It is best to treat these as soon as they are diagnosed.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

You would be hard pressed to meet many physicians who would entertain or advocate leaving a diagnosed basal cell cancer alone. Best.Dr. Karamanoukian

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

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 squamous/ basal cell carcinoma die from skin cancers. If you have an SCCA/BCCA, it should be surgically removed within a reasonable time frame of diagnosis.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Evans Bailey, MD, PhD, FACMS · Answer

The brutal truth about cancers is they never stop growing.  Basal cell carcinomas will destroy anything they touch.  I routinely see patients whose basal cell skin cancers were neglected leading to a much larger surgery.  You cannot see cancer roots by eye - only with a microscope.  What you see by eye is often only the tip of the iceberg.  During the Mohs procedure, I track the skin cancer and remove all the roots.  Squamous cell carcinomas behave similarly but have the added potential to spread to the lymph nodes.  Skin cancer should be treated promptly and accurately, most often this requires Mohs micrographic surgery.

Arlo J. Miller, MD, PhD · Answer

The cancer gets bigger.  The surgery required to get rid of it becomes bigger.  Eventually, it might take more than surgery to get rid of it.  In general, not removing it means that unless you die before it becomes symptomatic, spreads, or otherwise causes trouble, you will eventually require a larger surgery, have a bigger scar, in some cases need radiation or chemo, and in the very very very worst cases reach a point where treatment is no longer possible.  In general, you will have a better outcome with fewer complications and lower cost if you get rid of these when they are small.

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

Untreated basal cell skin cancers keep growing in size and over time they invade deeper tissues such as nerves, the sinuses, or bone.  Larger cancers will need larger excisions, so will it is better to get them earlier.

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

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 relatively easy to treat and avoids these negative risks. If you are afraid of one type of treatment like MOHs surgery( the most effective type of surgery) then at least excision, desiccation and currettage, x-ray, chemical therapy,laser treatment, or some other typeof treatment which matches the patients's needs and concerns should be employed. Please do not ignor these important cancers. !!!!

What Happens to a BCC Left Unremoved?

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