[Key point of this article] US President Biden’s skin tissue removal surgery was confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma. Dermatologists remind that occupational groups exposed to ultraviolet rays for a long time, such as farmers, fishermen, and soldiers, are high-risk groups and should pay attention to sun protection. Wu Jieshan, chief physician of the Kaohsiung Veterans General Dermatology Department, said that basal cell carcinoma is a potential threat, and the public should receive regular skin checks, and seek medical treatment as soon as possible if any abnormalities are found. In addition, there is no problem with proper sun exposure, but it is necessary to take protective measures before exposing to ultraviolet rays.
–by Notion AI
The cancerous skin tissue removed from the chest of U.S. President Joe Biden on February 16 was determined to be “basal cell carcinoma” after testing. White House physicians said all cancerous tissue had been successfully removed and no further treatment was required. Wu Zhenyi, Director of the Photochemical Therapy Department of the Skin Department of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, said that the appearance of basal cell carcinoma is very diverse, not necessarily all black hyperplasia, but also skin color. It is recommended that the public do a self-examination every 3 months.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer Be sure to wear sun protection
“Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer among skin cancers.” Wu Zhenyi said that basal skin cancer usually occurs in parts of the body that are often exposed to the sun, and Caucasians are more likely to suffer from it than Asians; however, although it is a cancer, it is not “Won’t spread”, usually local hyperplasia, often appearing on the head, chest and other parts.
Wu Zhenyi shared that there was a very serious case. It was an old woman. The affected part was located on her forehead, which was about the size of a “goose egg”. After asking about it, she found out that the hyperplasia had been going on for 10 years. Later, she underwent outpatient surgery. Excision, basically follow-up will not spread.
The presentation of basal cell carcinoma is quite diverse. Wu Zhenyi pointed out that many people will mistakenly think that it is a mole or eczema and ignore the possibility of cancer cells. Once diagnosed by a doctor and sectioned, it is often early basal cell carcinoma. In terms of the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, Wu Zhenyi said that other pigment cell carcinomas are mostly flat and easy to spread, requiring radiation or immunotherapy, but basal cell carcinoma is not a serious injury, it is a relatively benign cancer, and usually does not need chemotherapy. It only takes about 3 hours for outpatient surgery, and if it takes a week to take care of the wound on the face, the prognosis of the patients is basically quite good.
In an interview with the media this morning, Wu Jieshan, chief physician of Kaohsiung Veterans General Dermatology Department, said that the most important trigger factor for basal cell carcinoma is ultraviolet rays, especially for Caucasians who have poor protection against ultraviolet rays and are prone to sunburn and cancer. If you love to sunbathe, it will aggravate the formation of cancer. Wu Jieshan said that people of the yellow race may also have similar phenomena, such as farmers, fishermen, soldiers, etc., because they often work under a large amount of ultraviolet light, and long-term accumulation will increase the risk. People don’t need to be too panic about sunbathing in their daily life. Proper sun exposure is no problem, but they must be properly protected from the sun.
Sunbathing helps vitamin D synthesis but suffers from basal cell carcinoma due to lack of sun protection
Wu Jieshan said that human skin has a protective and metabolic effect on ultraviolet rays. For example, if you go to the beach in Kenting to play without sun protection, you will get short-term severe sunburn after 1 or 2 days, and it will not cause cancer risk at once. Basal cells The formation of cancer requires long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays, which will accumulate over time and exceed the body’s repair limit before it can become cancerous.
Wu Jieshan reminded the public not to deliberately bask in the sun for a long time without any protection. He used an old farmer couple he met during the clinic as an example. The couple heard a health program on TV that basking in the sun is harmful. Helping the synthesis of vitamin D can reduce the risk of osteomalacia. The two even moved a small bench to the atrium to bask in the sun at noon. Over time, both of them developed basal cell carcinoma on their faces.
Black moles appear on the face and there are several symptoms Seek medical diagnosis as soon as possible
Wu Jieshan said that basal cell carcinoma is a very silent cancer, and most of the time it grows slowly from small black spots. These need to be evaluated by professional dermatologists, and general doctors can’t tell them apart, not to mention that the public can hardly do it on their own. judge. If the mole has changes in size, uneven pigment distribution, shape change, pain, itching, or bleeding, you should go to a hospital with a professional dermatologist for diagnosis as soon as possible.
Wu Zhenyi said that because basal cell carcinoma has multiple forms, it may be protruding or flat, so it is easy to be ignored. It is recommended that the public check their bodies every 3 months to see if there are any abnormal growths on the skin; if the black epidermis bleeds easily, breaks the skin and leaves wounds, it is usually not a mole and should seek medical attention immediately. Ask the doctor for a detailed diagnosis. Pay attention to sun protection and avoid excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays.
As far as basal cell carcinoma is concerned, surgical treatment is straightforward and the best treatment. Basal cell carcinoma will be fine if it is completely excised. Compared with other cancers, it is less likely to metastasize. Using special drugs, etc. Wu Jieshan emphasized that clean cutting does not mean that nothing will happen, and patients still need to be followed up regularly in order to get the best prognosis.