What is the primary treatment for basal cell carcinoma?

The primary treatment for basal cell carcinoma is surgical removal. This approach is favored because basal cell carcinoma is typically localized and tends to grow slowly. Surgery aims to excise the tumor completely while preserving as much surrounding healthy tissue as possible. Techniques such as Mohs micrographic surgery are often employed, which involve removing the cancerous tissue layer by layer and examining it microscopically to ensure complete removal.

Surgical excision has the highest cure rate for basal cell carcinoma, making it the standard treatment choice. Other options, while they may have roles in specific cases or for patients who are not surgical candidates, do not offer the same level of effectiveness for the primary treatment of this type of skin cancer. For instance, topical ointments and radiation therapy may be helpful for superficial basal cell carcinomas or in patients with a high surgical risk, but they are not the mainstay treatment options compared to surgery. Chemotherapy is usually reserved for more advanced skin cancers and is not a first-line treatment for basal cell carcinoma.