Basal cell carcinoma: treatment options
Treatment options for basal cell carcinoma include:
For superficial basal cell carcinoma of the trunk skin
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Removal by Freezing (Cryosurgery)
- Treatment with imiquimod 5% ointment or 5-FU cream (Efudix)
- Excision or
- X-ray therapy
For all basal cell carcinomas:
Surgical removal is the standard treatment. This can be performed using a specialized technique called Mohs surgery (micrografically controlled surgery) with the smallest possible safety margin. With this technique, the excised tissue is examined under a microscope immediately after removal to determine whether the entire tumor has been removed, and only then is the wound closed. In most cases, this is done under local anesthesia.
Radiation therapy using X-rays (X-ray superficial therapy): This requires several sessions and can be performed on patients aged 65 and older.
Systemic therapy with medication: If the basal cell carcinoma is already very advanced or if there are numerous lesions, such that surgical excision or radiation therapy would be ineffective or unlikely to yield good results, treatment with oral medication may be used. This smoothened inhibitor therapy enters the bloodstream and can specifically stop the cancer and, in some cases, cure it; however, it is associated with side effects, which your doctor will explain to you in detail.
