basal cell carcinoma

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basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (bay-săl) n. the commonest form of skin cancer: a slow-growing tumour that usually occurs on the central area of the face, especially in fair-skinned people. The prevalence increases greatly with exposure to sunlight. Treatment involves curettage and cautery, surgical excision, cryotherapy, or radiotherapy. If neglected for decades, a BCC eventually becomes a rodent ulcer and destroys the surrounding tissue. The term ‘rodent ulcer’ is sometimes used to mean any basal cell carcinoma.

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