Fortunately, there are several ways you may be able to prevent stage 3 basal cell carcinoma. The most important way to prevent basal cell carcinoma from advancing to stage 3 is by treating earlier stages of basal cell carcinoma as soon as you're diagnosed, and by seeing your doctor about any unusual growths or sores as soon as you notice them. Make sure to check your skin regularly for any abnormal growths, especially if you're at a higher risk for stage 3 basal cell carcinoma or if you've had it before. Because stage 3 basal cell carcinoma is related to sun exposure, it's important to protect your skin from the sun. Avoid too much sun exposure, especially during its strongest hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). If you are outside, wear plenty of sunscreen all year round, and wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Doctors suggest that a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and vitamin D may also help prevent stage 3 basal cell carcinoma.
Stage 3 Basal Cell Carcinoma
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Regional Medical Center answeredIf you've been diagnosed with stage 3 basal cell carcinoma, it's important to talk to your doctor about treatment and get treated as soon as possible. After treatment, you should follow up regularly with your doctor to make sure the cancer hasn't come back or spread. It's also important to continue doing frequent self-checks of your skin, especially near the area where the first basal cell carcinoma was removed. Stage 3 basal cell carcinoma has a high chance of coming back even after treatment, so keep a keen eye out for any new growths. Continue protecting your skin from the sun by using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing.
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Regional Medical Center answered
Stage 3 basal cell carcinoma is the fourth stage of development of the most common type of skin cancer. Stage 3 basal cell carcinoma is usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, so it often develops on areas of skin that are exposed to the sun. The tumors caused by stage 3 basal cell carcinoma are usually small, slow-growing red bumps that often form on the skin of the head and neck of older people. By the time it reaches stage 3, basal cell carcinoma has begun to spread past the skin into surrounding tissue.
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Regional Medical Center answered
There's no guaranteed cure for stage 3 basal cell carcinoma, but treatments for the condition are usually effective. Depending on the location of the tumor, treatment may include electrodesiccation and curettage or surgery (including Mohs surgery) to remove the tumor. These treatments are usually pretty successful at removing the cancerous growth, but it's important to remember that basal cell carcinoma can re-develop. Because of this, it's important to get frequent skin screenings after treatment for stage 3 basal cell carcinoma.
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Regional Medical Center answered
The main symptoms of stage 3 basal cell carcinoma are skin growths that develop on areas of sun-exposed skin, like the head and neck. In many stage 3 basal cell carcinomas, the tumors are found on the face, particularly near the eyes, ears, and jaw. Often, stage 3 basal cell carcinomas start out slowly as little red or white shiny bumps that gradually grow wider and deeper. The tumors generally grow very slowly, so they're sometimes not easily noticeable. Sometimes, stage 3 basal cell carcinomas will alternate between scabbing and bleeding, which makes people think they're just a sore. Other times, the growths will form flat scaly patches that may be brown or red. Stage 3 basal cell carcinomas may also have visible blood vessels around the growths, especially when they're on the face.
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Regional Medical Center answered
There are several factors, both environmental and genetic, that may increase your risk for stage 3 basal cell carcinoma. The most significant risk factor is having stage 0, stage 1, or stage 2 basal cell carcinoma and leaving it untreated. Another important risk factor seems to be too much sun exposure, especially when it's over an entire lifetime. If you have light hair and skin, your risk may also be increased since your skin has less pigment to protect from UV rays. Your age and sex may also influence your risk - if you are a male and if you're over 50, you're at a higher risk for developing stage 3 basal cell carcinoma. Other risk factors may include a family or personal history of skin cancer, certain inherited genetic conditions, and exposure to certain toxic chemicals.
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Regional Medical Center answered
Usually, diagnosing stage 3 basal cell carcinoma begins with a physical exam that includes a visual examination of the tumor and a review of your medical history. To confirm diagnosis, doctors will do a biopsy, which involves removing all or part of the growth and analyzing it under a microscope. In some cases, if the growth is still small, it can be biopsied by simply shaving off the skin's top layers. However, for most stage 3 basal cell carcinoma, the tumor is larger or deeper so doctors may choose to surgically remove part or all of the growth.
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Regional Medical Center answered
Usually, medications aren't the first treatment option for stage 3 basal cell carcinoma. Instead, the tumor is usually scraped and burnt off (electrodesiccation and curettage), or it's surgically cut out of the skin. If medication is used, it's usually in topical form. These treatments usually use chemotherapy drugs that are applied to the skin. The strong chemicals in those drugs work to kill cancerous cells in the top layers of the skin. However, these medications are still being tested and often have negative side effects, so close medical supervision is required.
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Regional Medical Center answered
Stage 3 basal cell carcinoma starts in the bottom part of the epidermis, which is the skin's top layer. An overgrowth of skin cells eventually builds up and forms a tumor. Stage 3 basal cell carcinoma tumors are usually small, shiny growths that may bleed easily, or scab and crust. Tumors, which can be any size but are often over 2 centimeters in diameter at this stage, usually form on areas of sun-exposed skin. In stage 3, these tumors are often found on the face and neck. While in stage 3, basal cell carcinomas may spread deeper into the lower layers of skin, may be thicker than 2 millimeters, and may begin to take over tiny nerves in the skin. At this point, the cancer may also have begun to spread to a nearby lymph node. If left untreated, these tumors will continue to spread into the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.
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1 AnswerA
Regional Medical Center answered
There are a variety of treatment options for stage 3 basal cell carcinoma. The most common treatment for new tumors is electrodesiccation and curettage (ED and C). This procedure involves scraping off the top layer of the tumor and then burning the tumor's base with an electric needle. Another common option for treating stage 3 basal cell carcinoma is surgical removal of the tumor and a small amount of surrounding skin. One specific procedure that may be an option is Mohs microscopically controlled surgery, in which doctors remove one layer of the tumor at a time and examine it for cancerous cells as they go. This way, the doctor removes as little skin as possible while still getting rid of all the cancer. If these types of surgery aren't an option, cryosurgery (using liquid nitrogen to freeze the tumors) or topical chemotherapy treatments may be used. If stage 3 basal cell carcinoma has begun to spread to nearby bone or lymph nodes, doctors may recommend radiation therapy. Since treatment for stage 3 basal cell carcinoma depends on the location of the tumor and the health of the person, it's important to talk to your doctor about finding the best treatment option for you.