Treatment Options
Basal Cell Carcinoma: Head and neck
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is a non-worrying form of skin cancer that does not carry a risk of spreading elsewhere in the body or causing you health problems, however if left untreated it will grow deeper and wider. For sites on the head and neck - particularly sensitive facial sites - it is important to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible and Mohs surgery can be a good option. Other treatment options include wide local excision and radiotherapy.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery is a method for precisely removing skin cancers. It is most commonly used on the head and neck and is not generally suitable for the body. The tumour is initially removed with a narrow margin and over the course of several hours additional stages are removed using a microscope to check the margins are free of cancer.
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Wide Local Excision
The tumour is removed with a margin of approximately 4mm and the defect is stitched to leave a scar that is usually at least 3 times as long as the tumour. Cure rates can be up to 95% for certain tumours. It is a good option for most body sites, but for sensitive facial sites, Mohs surgery may be a better option as it allows narrower margins and preservation of healthy skin.
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Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy can be an effective treatment for BCC. It generally involves a number of treatments over several weeks. The cure rate depends upon the site and nature of the tumour but generally will be lower than for surgical excision or Mohs micrographic surgery. The treatment is performed by an oncologist and you should meet with them if you would like further information about this treatment option.
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Curettage and Cautery
The tumour is removed by scraping (curettage) or superficial shaving (saucerisation) under local anaesthetic to leave a scar a little larger than the size of the tumour. It is less invasive than other surgical treatments but the risk of recurrence or incomplete treatment is significantly higher. It is rarely advised for higher risk tumours or sensitive facial sites.
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