Nodular basal cell ski cancer is one of the most common types of basal cell skin cancer and often appears as a pearly bump that refuses to go away. Is nodular basal cell skin cancer dangerous, and can it spread? Explore this overview on what to expect from a nodular basal cell skin cancer prognosis. 

Nodular Basal Cell Skin Cancer Prognosis 

Basal cell skin cancer affects up to 3.6 million patients each year, making it the most common form of common skin cancer. Within that group, a majority will receive a nodular basal cell skin cancer prognosis, meaning that there’s been a mutation within the skin’s basal cells. 

Nodular basal cell skin cancer will often present as a small, pearly bump that may be pink or translucent. Over time, this lesion will continue to grow and may even break open, bleed, and scab over without ever fully healing. 

Is Nodular Basal Cell Skin Cancer Dangerous? 

Skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. The ability to see the cancer developing externally makes the disease easier to combat, compared to internal illnesses that do not come with visual warning signs. When caught in its earliest stages, common skin cancers see a five-year 99% survival rate.

That being said, nodular basal cell skin cancer can be dangerous if symptoms are ignored or treatment is delayed. Cancer development is categorized into five different stages ranging from zero to four, and the higher the stage, the more dangerous the disease becomes. While patients in stages 0-2 experience a very high survival rate, stage 4 patients see that percentage drop down to 22.5%. 

Scheduling an annual skin cancer screening is a smart way to monitor changes to your skin and seek treatment as soon as cancerous cells are detected. 

Can Nodular Basal Cell Skin Cancer Spread?

Nodular basal cell skin cancer is unlikely to spread, as these specific tumors grow very slowly (about 1 centimeter a year) and usually stay restricted to the skin. However, depending on the placement of your nodular basal cell skin cancer, the growing tumor may have detrimental effects on nearby body parts, especially if one develops near your:

• Eyes
• Ears
• Mouth
• Bone
• Brain

Learn About Treatment for Nodular Basal Cell Skin Cancer

The commonality of nodular basal cell skin cancer means that patients have treatment options. If you’re seeking a surgery-free common skin cancer treatment, Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (Image-Guided SRT) may be worth considering. To learn more about Image-Guided SRT, call our skin cancer information specialists at 312-987-6543 today.