INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in

the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the

skin). BCCs often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars and are

usually caused by a combination of cumulative and intense, occasional sun exposure. BCC almost

never spreads (metastasizes) beyond the original tumor site. Only in exceedingly rare cases can it

spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. It shouldn’t be taken lightly, though:

it can be disfiguring if not treated promptly. BCCs are easily treated in their early stages. The

larger the tumor has grown, however, the more extensive the treatment needed. While BCCs

seldom spread to vital organs, they can cause major disfigurement and occasionally result in nerve

or muscle injury. Certain rare, aggressive forms can be lethal if not treated promptly.

Both long-term sun exposure over your lifetime and occasional extended, intense exposure

(typically leading to sunburn) combine to cause damage that can lead to BCC. Almost all BCCs

occur on parts of the body excessively exposed to the sun — especially the face, ears, neck, scalp,

shoulders, and back. On rare occasions, however, tumors develop on unexposed areas. In a few

cases, contact with arsenic, exposure to radiation, open sores that resist healing, chronic

inflammatory skin conditions, and complications of burns, scars, infections, vaccinations, or even

tattoos are contributing factors. It is not possible to pinpoint a precise, single cause for a specific

tumor, especially one found on a sun-protected area of the body or in an extremely young

individual. People who have had one BCC are at risk for developing others over the years, either

in the same area or elsewhere on the body. Therefore, regular visits to a dermatologist should be

routine so that not only the site(s) previously treated, but the entire skin surface can be examined.
BCCs on the scalp and nose are especially troublesome, with recurrences typically taking place

within the first two years following surgery.

When small skin cancers are removed, the scars are usually cosmetically acceptable. If the

tumors are very large, a skin graft or flap may be used to repair the wound in order to achieve the

best cosmetic result and facilitate healing.

According to American Cancer Society, cancers of the skin (most of which are basal and

squamous cell skin cancers) are by far the most common of all types of cancers. According to one

estimate about 5.4million basal and squamous skin cancers are diagnosed each year (occurring in

about 3.3million Americans, as some people have more than one). About 8 out of 10 these are

basal cell cancers. Squamous cell cancers occur less often. The numbers of these cancers has been

increasing for many years. This is probably from a combination of better skin cancer detection,

people getting more sun exposure, and people living longer. Death from these cancers is

uncommon. It’s thought that 2,000 people in the US die each year from these cancers, and that this

rate has been dropping in recent years. Most people who die from these cancers are elderly and

may not have seen a doctor until the cancer had already grown quiet large. Other people more

likely to die of these cancers are those whose immune system is suppressed, such as those who

have had organ transplant.

Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than any other cancers

combined. The National Cancer Institute found out that there are approximately 1 out of 50 men

and women who will be diagnosed with this kind of disease during their lifetime. However, it does

not develop right away. BCC are usually found in the superficial layer of the skin and rarely

spreads or metastasis unless left untreated for a long period of time.

 This case was chosen for the reason of it is associated with the subject NCM 106 Care of

Clients with Aberrations, Acute Biological Crisis, Emergency and Disaster Nursing. Furthermore,

this is also to gather information and acquire knowledge about the disease process, clinical

manifestations, nursing management and medical management applicable for the said disease.