Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is characterized primarily by local cutaneous invasion. This means that BCC tends to grow locally within the skin without spreading to distant parts of the body, which is a hallmark of its behavior. BCC typically presents as a slow-growing, non-metastatic tumor that can invade surrounding tissues in the local area but is not known for the ability to metastasize significantly.

The tumor usually arises in areas of high sun exposure and can cause destruction of local skin structures, leading to ulceration or a nodular appearance. While BCC can be locally aggressive, it rarely, if ever, spreads through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, making it significantly different from other aggressive skin cancers, such as melanoma.

Understanding the local invasion characteristic helps in formulating appropriate treatment options, which typically involve surgical excision or other localized therapies, as they are aimed at removing or destroying the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Furthermore, the local nature of BCC indicates a generally good prognosis when diagnosed early, contrasting sharply with tumors that have a high tendency for metastasis or systemic involvement.