Symptoms
A basal cell carcinoma usually begins as a
small, dome-shaped bump and is often covered by small, superficial blood vessels
called telangiectases. It is often hard to tell a basal cell carcinoma from a
benign growth like a flesh-colored mole without performing a biopsy. Some basal
cell carcinomas contain melanin pigment, making them look dark rather than
shiny.
Basal cell carcinomas grow slowly, taking months
or even years to become sizable. Although spread to other parts of the body is
very rare, a basal cell carcinoma can damage and disfigure the eye, ear, or nose
if it grows nearby. Most patients may not present with symptoms in the early
stages. The symptoms when they occur include difficulty in passing urine,
increased frequency of urination, hesitancy in urination, feeling of incomplete
evacuation of the bladder and occasionally blood in the urine. Most patients
may complain of having to get up several times each night to pass urine. Many
patients may also have dribbling of urine. If you have any of these symptoms
you would need to see a doctor.
