This document compares and contrasts basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It discusses that BCC is more common but SCC occurs more often in immunosuppressed patients. BCC appears as a translucent pink nodule with telangiectasia, grows slowly, and rarely metastasizes, while SCC forms a firm red nodule or scaly patch with erosion and is more likely to metastasize to lymph nodes. Risk factors for BCC include sun exposure and fair skin, while risk factors for SCC include sun exposure, fair skin, and conditions weakening immunity. Diagnosis involves biopsy and treatment includes surgical excision or other local procedures.

1. Difference between BCC & SCC
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2.  Difference between BBC & SCC:
 Prevalence
 Appearance:
 common sites:
Topic 1
BCC • Most common type of skin cancer
SCC
• more common in immunosuppressed or
transplant patients
translucent,
pinkish pearly
nodule associated
telangiectasia
firm red
pimple/nodule
or scaly patch
everted edges +
keratotic crust
sore that doesn't
fully heal
well
differentiated >>
keratin horn
less well
differentiated >>
flat & ulcerated
but it may
appear
anywhere
typically on
the head,
neck & arms

3.  Origin:i,ii
 Metastasis:
ear
face
neck
arms
chest
back
BCC
• begins in the stratum basale of epidermis
(the lower part of the epidermis)
SCC
• develops in the thin, flat squamous cells
that make up the outer layer of the skin
SCC BCC
can damage other
tissues (including
bone & nerves)
grows slowly (very
rarely metastasizes)
locally destructive
can be more
aggressive than BCC
can damage other
tissues including
bone
lymph node
metastasis

4.  arsenic exposure
• intermittent sun exposure
• fair skin
• increasing age
• familial history of skin cancer
• immune-suppressing drugs
• inhereted syndromes that cause skin cancer
• exposure to arsenic
• radiation therapy
BCC
• chronic cummulative sun exposure
• fair skin
• use of tanning beds
• rare genetic disorder
• weakened immunity
• actinic keratosis (precancerous precursor)
• a personal history of skin cancer
SCC
 Etiology:
 Risk factors:iii,iv
 X-ray
 Gorlin's syndrome
(multiple BCC
syndrome)
 xeroderma
pigmentosum
 immunosuppression
 UV radiation
• burn scar (Marjolin)
• Granulomatous infection
• osteomyelitis sinuses
• Hidradenitis superativa
• venous ulcers
• Actinic keratosis &
Bowen's disease
• leukoplakia
• dermatosis (poikiloderma)
• industrial carcinogens & oils

5. shave biopsy punch biopsy incisional biopsy excisional biopsy CT for depth
 Clinical subtypes:v
other variants will be discussed later
 Diagnosis:
 Treatment:
Nodulo-ulcerative(Rodent ulcer) Pigmented Nodular
Cystic Superficial Morphea-like (fibrosing)
Nodular ulcerating Cutaneous
surgical excision with safety margins
electrodissication & curettage
radiotherapy
cryotherapy
Moh's micrographic surgery
Topical 5-fluorouracil

6. i
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/what-is-basal-
and-squamous-cell.html
ii
Tan S, Ghaznawie M, Heenan P, Dosan R. Basal Cell Carcinoma Arises from Interfollicular
Layer of Epidermis. Journal of Oncology. 2018;2018:1-5.
iii
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/basal-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-
causes/syc-20354187
iv
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/squamous-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-
causes/syc-20352480
v
Steel B. Skin cancer for dental professionals. BDJ Team. 2014;1(1).