Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC) can arise in any area of the skin, affecting the face, neck and upper trunk more often than the abdomen, lower trunk and extremities.

The areas around the eyes, the nose, the cheek bones and the upper lip are the most frequently afected sites on the face. Usually only a few become aggressive, when they are locally invasive and behave like ordinary BCCs.  Evidence of aggressive transformation of an individual lesion includes an increase in size, ulceration, bleeding, or crusting. Some patients can develop aggressive BCCs without first developing naevi.

Basal Cell Carcinomas and Gorlin Syndrome

90% of patients with the syndrome will develop rodent ulcers (also called basal cell carcinomas) at some stage in their life.

What are basal cell carcinomas?

Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer in the general population. BCCs in members of the general population are associated with excess exposure to sun, and therefore appear on the sun exposed parts of the body, usually the face. In Gorlin Syndrome, the BCCs can also occur on other areas of the body which have not been exposed to the sun.

Although the name 'carcinoma' is very frightening, skin cancer can be cured if recognised and treated.

If you have had one BCC, it is likely that others MAY develop over the years.