Why is basal cell carcinoma the least invasive of all cancers?

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Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) can develop into large unsightly skin tumors but the cells rarely metasize or spread to distant sites like malignant melanoma, lung cancer, colon cancer etc.
Is it that only certain genes are involved in BCC which mean they fail to become completely immature like other tumor cells, or is it they are more liable to be attacked by the immune system? Any other ideas?
Simon - Great question! Sorry that the answer is not yet known. Most cancer research efforts have been directed towards the malignant tumors which rapidly invade the blood vessels and lymph channels making their spread easily, but not malignant basal cells of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It may be genetic, as you mention, or the BCC cells may lack certain genes and/or enzymes which would allow the cells to survive in other body locations. It is NOT likely to be related to the immune system as microscopic examination of BCC lesions do not show the tissue changes of immune-type cells adjacent to or invading the BCC as they do with other tumors. Hence, the BCC spreads by ever-widening direct growth from the primary tumor without metastases but able to invade the toughest of nearby tissues, even bone. Might you be interested in such a research career in dermatopathology?  (+ info)

What is small cell carcinoma, and why is edema in the upper body a serious complication.?

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A family member has small cell carcinoma being treated with chemotherapy in the lung/thoracic area, and recently has developed edema in the arms and chest (not sure specifics of where in the chest the edema is). What is this type of cancer and what is the concern with the edema when it develops secondary to the cancer? Thank You.
oedema of the upper body is due to blockage (partial) of the superior vena cava (the main vein which drains the part of the body above the level of the heart). this is due to infiltration of the vein by the malignant tumour. its a bad prognostic factor.

as for small cell carcinoma, it is a highly malignant tumour of the lungs, and spreads rapidly. it also produces certain hormones that mimic hormonal imbalance states (paraneoplastic syndrome).

u can type in "small cell carcinoma" on wikiepedia and check the other details for urself.  (+ info)

How long does someone with stage 4 Renal cell carcinoma have?

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My grandfather, 83, has stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. The cancer has spread to his lungs (several tumors on lungs), bladder, gall bladder, and the doctor said he could feel tumors all over. I just want a realistic outlook for his life expectancy. He will be receiving immunotherapy in a few weeks but his general practice doctor seemed to think he had weeks to a few months to live. His oncologist didn't give him a time frame. I just want to know what he is looking at. He already is having trouble breathing.
No one knows.My wife has stage IV renal cell carcinoma and no one thought she would make it one year.It been a tough road, but shes still here 5 years 5 months latter.  (+ info)

What are some treatments for Basal Cell Carcinoma?

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I think i have Basal Cell Carcinoma, And I'm going to the clinic Thursday, and i was wondering what i have to look forward to.. Like what they'll do to treat it.
Basal Cell Carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. It is typically a very slow growing, non-invasive cancer and is treated very effectivly by excision. If the doctor believes the lesion to be suspicious of BCC, they will likely schedule a biopsy to confirm this, and then completely remove it by cutting it out and placing a couple of stiches on the wound.  (+ info)

Can I have a basal cell carcinoma on my foot?

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Has this happened to anyone, what I thought was a wart is infact a basal cell carcinoma. How was it treated if this happened to you. Thanks.
Skin cancer is a major problem in the elderly. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer, typically occurs in this age group. Despite a number of modalities readily available for treatment. Consequently, the search for novel treatments continues. To my knowledge, there are only 6 published reports of invasive SCC treated with 5-percent Imiquimod cream. (Imiquimod is a topically applied imidazoquiline immunomodulator that enhances both innate and cell-mediated immunity )
This is a clinical trial result that has details that may be of interest:- An 89-year-old woman presented with three lesions on her lower limbs. She had previous treatments for multiple basal cell carcinomas, actinic keratoses, Bowen disease, and invasive SCCs at various sites. The new lesions were on the left foot (one) and right lower leg (two) and all showed changes of poorly differentiated SCC histologically. She declined surgical excision; radiotherapy was felt to be a poor option. She was treated with 5-percent imiquimod cream, initially to just the lesion on the dorsum of the foot, for 8-12 hours at night for three nights each week (three times a week). Treatment was well tolerated by week 2, so the frequency was increased to five times a week, and all three lesions treated. Gradually, two lesions diminished in size. Treatment was continued until there was no clinical evidence of residual tumor at these sites (19 weeks) repeat biopsies showed only a focus of dysplastic cells with no invasion (dorsum, left foot), and epidermal hyperplasia with no significant cytological atypia (outer aspect, right lower leg) Neither now showed evidence of invasive SCC. After 16 months there was no recurrence of either lesion. The third lesion (right lower leg,) did not respond to topical imiquimod and was later surgically excised.
Hope this helps
Matador 89  (+ info)

Has anyone had any experience in a cancer treatment called Torisel for Renal Cell Carcinoma?

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My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma. He started a treatment this week. The treatment is call Torisel. I wonder if anyone has any experience in this drug. If it worked for your loved one and if there was any side effects and how long did it take to have the side effects.
I believe this is one of the newer mTOR targeted therapy drugs. It is very new. You would probably get more response and better information by going to an online support group with other patients who are using this drug. Good luck.  (+ info)

What is the life expectancy for small cell carcinoma?

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Hi. My mom was just diagnosed with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and it is in the early stages THANKFULLY! however, i am only 17 and she is hesitant about giving me info and telling me what the future holds for our family, especially since she is a single parent. If you could please give me some info to help me better understand and how to help my mom beat this disease i would forever grateful!!! Life expectancy, treatment, and any encouragement techniques as she is very depressed. thank you all!!!!!!
Small cell grows quickly, much quicker than non small cell. but small cell responds better to chemo treatments. Your mom may be advised to also have WBR (whole brain radiation) as often lung cancer travels to the brain. Since caught very early, she has a good chance of ridding herself of cancer, but will have to have regular scans as recurrence is almost always. Attached is a yahoo lung cancer group, there you will find people that have beaten small cell and are still surviving and are N.E.D. (no evidence of disease) after a couple of years of treatment.  (+ info)

Anyone had any experience with High Grade Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma?

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Diagnosis is High Grade Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma presenting between colon and pelvis (also in lymphnodes in same area). Doctor's are not sure but believe it originated from cervix or uterus. It is being treated as if it were Small Cell Lung Cancer eventhough it is NOT in the lungs.

Having a hard time finding anything online because it is apparently pretty darn rare. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
This is not that uncommon. Neuroendocrine cells are all over the body so it can arise in many places other than lung (most common). It is described as small cell carcinoma, an while usually lung, can arise in many sites such as vagina, cervix, rectum, intestine, appendix, etc. They are all generally treated the same, using common small cell lung cancer regimens.
In general, limited stage disease, loosely defined as disease that can fit within one radiation portal, can be cured occasionally with chemotherapy and radiation- but this is extrapolating from lung cancer patients, where cure rates are <20% with limited stage disease. More extensive disease is not curable, though it does respond very well to chemotherapy or radiation or both.

Blessings  (+ info)

Can chewing tobacco cause Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

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We just recently found out that a family member has Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the doctors think it maybe from chewing.
  (+ info)

Can the cause of a giant cell tumor be post traumatic?

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I recently had surgery on my right thumb for ligament repair from a slip and fall, there after I developed what doctors call- a giant cell tumor on that same right thumb finger. Could the growth of the tumor be post-traumatic?
thanks for answering my question. Is there any way I can prove that it is post traumatic?
You have to wonder. Any trauma is followed by healing, which involves rapid cell division and involves the chance of mutations arising from the cell division, which could lead to cell disregulation and a tumor. Good luck on getting through this!  (+ info)

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