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Treatment Options for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment

Standard treatment used for patients with non-melanoma skin cancer include:

Chemotherapy

The use of anticancer drugs to shrink or kill cancerous cells and reduce cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

Electrodesiccation and curettage

A procedure in which a tumor is scraped off the skin and electrode is used to treat the area with an electric current that stops the bleeding and destroys cancer cells that remain around the edge of the wound.

Excisional surgery

In excisional surgery used for basal cell carcinoma treatment the tumor is removed from the skin and underlying tissue along with standard margin of normal skin. The specimen is sent to the pathology lab to confirm that the margins are clear of cancerous cell.

Mohs micrographic surgery

An advanced surgical technique that precisely removes all forms of skin cancer while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.  

Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a precise, patient friendly way to treat some skin cancers and precancerous growths caused by sun damage.

Radiation therapy

The use of high-energy radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells, tumors, and non-cancerous diseases.

The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. In the majority of cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, radiation is used after surgery to destroy any cancerous cells that potentially remain in the area or surrounding skin and lymph nodes.

Surgery

Surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma includes Mohs micrographic surgery, excisional surgery, and electrodesiccation and curettage.

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Condition Spotlight

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Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

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