Most basal cell carcinomas may be treated by one of the following methods. The choice of treatment is influenced by:
- Size, location, type, and grade of tumour
- Person’s age and health
- Whether the tumour is primary or has come back after treatment (recurred)
- Availability of the treatment
The following represent the range of treatments of available for basal cell carcinoma:
Curettage and Electrodesiccation (C & E)
- Used for small lesions that are less than 2 cm
- Not used for lesions on areas where the cancer is likely to recur (nose, lips, eyelids, ears, scalp, temple)
Surgery (Wide Excision)
- The tumour is removed along with a margin of cancer-free skin
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Used for all types of basal cell cancers. Most commonly used to treat:
- – areas that are at high risk of recurrence (eyelids, nose, ears, forehead, scalp), as well as lesions that have already recurred
– lesions that are larger than 2 cm, as well as lesions with poorly defined borders
– areas where maintaining function and appearance are important
– invasive lesions that have spread to underlying cartilage or bone
– tumours that have been left untreated for a long time
– people with nevus basal cell carcinoma syndrome
– it involves a meticulous study of tissues removed by a pathologist at the time of surgery
Radiation Therapy
- Used for:
- – small to medium sized primary basal cell carcinoma lesions
– ensuring cancer free margins after surgery
– lesions that have recurred after surgery
– relief or to control symptoms of very large tumours
– people who are unable or unwilling to undergo surgery
Not used for:
- – people with nevus basal cell carcinoma syndrome
- – sclerosing or morpheaform Basal Cell Carcinoma
Chemotherapy
Topical chemotherapy (5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)) may be used for:
- – superficial tumours
– people who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery or radiation
– people with nevus basal cell carcinoma syndrome
– the elderly who can’t tolerate other treatments
– systemic chemotherapy may be used for basal cell carcinoma that has spread to other parts of the body
Immune Response Modifiers
Imiquimod 5% Cream (Aldara™) has recently been approved in Canada and the US to treat Superficial Basal Cell Cancer (sBCC)
- – Imiquimod’s novel mechanism of action stimulates the body’s own natural defenses to target diseased tissue
- – It stimulates the innate immune response through interferon-a production, as well as acquired immunity by activating T-helper 1 cells
- Click here to view the A-Detail™ on Aldara™.
