A biopsy performed on a small lesion removed from President Joe Biden’s chest has been confirmed as basal cell carcinoma.
Doctors say that all the cancerous tissue has been removed and no further treatment is needed.
What exactly is basal cell carcinoma – and what should people know about this common skin cancer?
BIDEN REMOVED ‘CANCER TISSUE’, WHITE HOUSE SAYS ‘NO FURTHER TREATMENT NECESSARY’
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is not only the most common form of skin cancer, it is also the most commonly diagnosed of all cancers, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
About 3.6 million people in the US are diagnosed each year.
President Joe Biden shields his eyes from the sun as he walks toward Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, on Oct. 20, 2021. A biopsy performed on a small lesion removed from the president’s chest has been confirmed as basal cell carcinoma. Doctors say that all the cancerous tissue has been removed and no further treatment is needed. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
“These cancers form in the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest part of the epidermis — the outermost layer of the skin,” Dr. Saya Obayan, a board-certified dermatologist who practices in Austin, Texas, and a spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation, told Fox News Digital in an earlier interview.
SKIN CANCER AND SUN CREAM CHECKS: WHY THEY ARE (STILL) VERY IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH
“Almost all BCCs occur on areas of the body that are overexposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back.”
Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation — either from the sun or a tanning bed — can cause basal cells to grow out of control.
Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation — either from the sun or a tanning bed — can cause basal cells to grow out of control. (iStock)
As with all skin cancers, prompt detection and action are essential.
“Because BCCs grow slowly, most of them are curable and cause minimal damage if caught early,” said Dr. Obayan.
As with all skin cancers, prompt detection and action are essential.
BCC is the most common malignancy in white people, said Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News medical officer in New York City.
It also makes up 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
SKIN CANCER DEATH OF MEN IS HIGHER THAN WOMEN: NEW ANALYSIS
“In general, it’s easy to cure and almost never spreads,” he said.
Important characters
A common warning sign is an open wound that heals slowly, or that heals repeatedly and comes back.
Other red flags are irritated or red patches of skin; a “shiny bump or lump” that is clear, pink, red, or white in color; or a small pink growth, the Skin Care Foundation reports on its website.
Each year, approximately 3.6 million people in the US are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
A more concerning sign is a “scar-like area that is flat white, yellow, or waxy in color,” which may be a sign of a more invasive form of basal cell carcinoma.
Treatments for basal cell carcinoma
“This type of skin cancer is usually treated by local surgery, although it can also be removed by creams or radiation,” said Dr. Siegel.
Other treatments for BCC may include topical medications and cryosurgery, which involves freezing tumors with liquid nitrogen. (iStock)
A procedure called Mohs surgery is widely regarded as the most effective technique for removing BCC.
Mohs was first developed in the late 1960s and 1970s and has an impressive 99% success rate for healing lesions.
“Mohs surgery works by removing the cancer cells in layers to preserve healthy tissue,” Dr. Siegel out.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Other treatments for BCC may include topical medications and cryosurgery, which involves freezing tumors with liquid nitrogen, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Other common skin cancers
The second most common form of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is also caused by UV exposure and mainly affects the same areas as BCC.
“Most SCCs can be treated easily and successfully, but if they grow they can become disfiguring and even fatal,” Dr. Obayan.
Those who notice skin changes should consult their doctor. (iStock)
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and can be fatal if it spreads deeper into the skin or to other parts of the body, the doctor said.
Anyone can get skin cancer, but certain factors increase the risk.
“These include a history of indoor tanning or sunburn, your skin type (the lighter your skin tone, the more at risk you are), and genetics,” said Dr. Obayan.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Skin Cancer Foundation has posted pictures of every warning sign of basal cell carcinoma on its website.
Those who notice skin changes should consult their doctor.
