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Background
- 80% of skin cancers are basal cell, 16% are squamous cell, and 4% are melanomas
- 5% to 10% of basal cell carcinomas are aggressive, invade and destroy skin and surrounding tissues, sometimes reaching bone
- Rarely a metastatic process
Risk Factors
- UV radiation
- Chronic arsenic exposure
- Ionizing radiation
- Immunosuppression
- Age and skin colour (light tone)
- Also known of a certain genetic predisposition (higher in people from the northern hemisphere)
Clinical Features
Ulcerated basal-cell carcinoma affecting the skin of the nose in an elderly patient.
- Slow growing
- Usually head and neck
- About 20% appear on areas less exposed to the sun, such as chest, back, extremities and scalp.
- Only where hair follicles exist
- Pearly nodule with telangiectatic vessels, rolled border and central ulceration
Differential Diagnosis
Evaluation
- Clinical examination by trained clinician (dermatology referral)
- Skin biopsy
Management
- Not typically managed within ED
Disposition
- Discharge with derm follow up
See Also
External Links
References