What it means
A slow-growing skin cancer, usually on sun-exposed skin such as the face, ears, neck and hands. It may look like a shiny, pearly bump, a pink patch, or a sore that bleeds, heals and comes back. It rarely spreads to other organs but can damage nearby tissue if left untreated. It is usually removed with minor surgery.
For the nurse
Teach sun safety: sunscreen, hats, shade, no tanning beds, and checking the skin regularly. Report any sore that does not heal within a few weeks.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | BCC |
|---|---|
| Spanish | carcinoma basocelular |
| Also written | basal cell carcinomas, BCC |
Related terms
carcinoma
A cancer that starts in the cells that line the skin or the inside and outside surfaces of organs.
melanocyte
A cell in the bottom layer of the skin's outer layer that makes melanin, the pigment that gives skin and hair their color.
squamous cell carcinoma
A cancer that starts in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells of the skin's outer layer and the linings of some organs.