The skin consists of three layers. The top layer, called the epidermis, is where most skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, arise. Below that is the dermis, the layer that contains sweat glands, oil glands, and other structures of the skin. The subcutaneous layer, which is below the dermis, is composed of fat and connective tissue and connects the skin to the underlying muscle.
Basal cell carcinomas are most commonly found on the face, neck, hands, or other parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun. This type of cancer can have many different appearances: a red patch or irritated area; a small, pink pearly bump; a white or yellow scar-like area; a smooth growth with a dent in the center; or an open sore that bleeds or oozes. Basal cell carcinomas rarely spread throughout the body, and deaths from this disease are very rare. However, because basal cell carcinomas often occur on the face, they can cause serious cosmetic damage if not diagnosed and treated early.
