Basal cell carcinoma classification

Overview
Various forms are recognized:


 * Nodular: flesh-colored papule with telangiectasis. If it ulcerates, it becomes a "rodent ulcer" (ulcus rodens), an ulcerating nodule with (often) a pearly border.
 * Cystic: rarer and difficult to distinguish from the nodular form. It has a central cavity with fluid.
 * Pigmented: a variant of the nodular form that may be confused with melanoma.
 * Sclerosing / cicratising: a scar-like lesion.
 * Superficial: a red scaling patch.

About two-thirds of basal cell carcinomas occur on sun-exposed areas of the body. One-third occur on areas of the body that are not exposed to sunlight, emphasizing the genetic susceptibility of the basal cell cancer patients.