Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Treatment in United Arab Emirates

What is Basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer that develops in the skin's basal cells. Basal cells are found in the lower epidermis, the skin's outer layer. Basal cell carcinoma appears as a tiny, occasionally glossy lump or scaly flat spot on the skin that gradually increases over time.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

• Early basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment is essential for preventing it from spreading to neighbouring tissues.
• Although BCC rarely spreads to other organs, untreated tumours can cause extensive local harm and disfigurement.
• Early intervention improves the likelihood of total eradication and minimises the danger of recurrence. It also enables simpler, less intrusive procedures, resulting in faster recovery and improved cosmetic effects.
• Furthermore, quick treatment reduces consequences such as infections and ulcers. Overall, treating BCC early improves the prognosis and quality of life.

What are the Common Symptoms of Basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma typically develops on sun-exposed areas of your body, particularly the head and neck. Basal cell carcinoma can occasionally occur in regions of your body that are usually sheltered from the sun, such as your genitals.

Basal cell carcinoma manifests as a change in the skin, such as a growth or a persistent sore. These changes in the skin (lesions) typically have one of the following characteristics:

• A shiny, skin-coloured hump that is translucent, allowing you to see through its surface. The bump may seem pearly white or pink on white skin. On brown and black skin, the bump appears brown or glossy black. Tiny blood vessels may be visible, but they are difficult to see on brown and black skin. The bump may bleed or scab over.
• A brown, black, or blue lesion with dark patches and a slightly elevated, translucent border.
• A flat, scaly area with a raised border. Over time, these patches can become highly enormous.
• A white, waxy, scar-like lesion with no distinct border.

Causes, Risk Factors and Complications of Basal cell carcinoma

Causes

• Basal cell carcinoma occurs as a result of a DNA alteration. This transformation typically happens after your skin has been exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunshine or tanning beds.
• Your genes tell your body's DNA to create new cells to replace cells that have reached the end of their lives through self-replication. If one of your genes is mutated, your DNA will not have the proper instructions to generate new cells.
• Basal cells produce excessive cells, resulting in lumps (tumours) or lesions in the outer layer of your skin (epidermis).
• Basal cell nevus syndrome (Gorlin syndrome) is an uncommon hereditary disorder that causes BCC to emerge in childhood.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your risk of basal cell carcinoma include:

• Chronic sun exposure
• Radiation therapy
• Fair skin
• Increasing age
• A personal or family history of skin cancer
• Immune-suppressing drugs
• Exposure to arsenic
• Inherited syndromes that cause skin cancer

Complications

Complications of basal cell carcinoma can include:

• A risk of recurrence. Basal cell carcinomas commonly recur, even after successful treatment.
• An increased risk of other types of skin cancer. A history of basal cell carcinoma may also increase the chance of developing different kinds of skin cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma.
• Cancer that spreads beyond the skin. Basal cell carcinoma can rarely spread (metastasise) to nearby lymph nodes and other body areas, such as the bones and lungs.

Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma in the United Arab Emirates

• Non-Invasive Microneedle Therapy: A Phase 2 clinical trial has been started to assess the effectiveness of a new dissolvable microneedle patch that delivers the chemotherapeutic drug D-MNA for non-invasive BCC treatment. With encouraging findings from past research, the trial aims to evaluate safety and effectiveness in patients with nodular BCC. ​
• Advanced Diagnostic Imaging: Thanks to the use of line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT), the diagnosis of BCC is now more accurate. By providing detailed 3D cellular-level images, this noninvasive imaging method helps distinguish BCC from other skin disorders and facilitates accurate treatment planning.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Prevention Tips

To reduce your risk of basal cell carcinoma, you can:

• Avoid the sun during the middle of the day. In many places, the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even during winter or when the sky is cloudy.
• Wear sunscreen year-round. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
• Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad hat, which provides more protection than a baseball cap or visor.
• Check your skin regularly and report changes to your doctor. Examine your skin often for new skin growths or changes in moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. With the help of mirrors, check your face, neck, ears and scalp.