About Basal Cell Carcinoma
Developed basal cell carcinomas appear as translucent pink/red bumps with a central depression and prominent blood vessels that frequently bleed with little or no trauma (BCC Pic 2.1, 2.2; BCC Pic 3.1, 3.2).
However, basal cell carcinomas can have varied appearances, especially in the early stages. Early basal cell carcinomas can appear as a shiny “pearly” bump (BCC 13.1, 13.2), a red patch (BCC 8.2, 8.3; BCC 14.1, 14.2) an inflamed bump (BCC 10.1, 10.2) or simply resemble a pimple that just won’t heal (BCC 11.1, 11.2).
Some very subtle, and often aggressive forms of basal cell carcinoma can appear as a scar-like area that is flat, white, yellow, or waxy. These can often be quite extensive under the surface of the skin (BCC Pic 4.1, 4.2, 4.3).
Early detection is crucial for this type of cancer in order to limit the potentially disfiguring surgery required for a cure. These photographs uniquely illustrate an early appearance of a basal cell carcinoma arising near a fully developed basal carcinoma (BCC Pic 15.1, 15.2-developed, 15.3-early). This person could have saved extensive surgery required for cure if he had detected the larger basal cell carcinoma in its earliest stage like the one near it.
