Basal cell carcinoma
Encounter flow
12/12 authoredCanonical 12-phase frame with authored status for this dossier.
Frame
Frame BCC as the most common cancer in fair-skinned populations — locally destructive, rarely metastatic. The dermatology engine owns recognition, biopsy, NCCN risk stratification, definitive local therapy (Mohs / excision / ED&C / topical / RT) AND the locally advanced/metastatic systemic ladder (HHI → cemiplimab), routing only the rare bona-fide visceral metastatic / skull-base disease to multidisciplinary care. Gorlin syndrome and field cancerisation overlap with SCC and melanoma are recognised here.
derm-owned scope set; sibling routes (SCC, AK-NMSC, melanoma) noted
Patient inputs (12)
Arborising telangiectasia, blue-grey ovoid nests, leaf-like areas, spoke-wheel structures, in-focus dots and ulceration support BCC and pivot pigmented BCC vs melanoma (NCCN BCC 2025; AAD 2019 PMID 30392755)
Multiple synchronous BCC, palmar/plantar pits, odontogenic keratocysts, calcified falx, hypertelorism, medulloblastoma history → Gorlin (PTCH1) — gates lifelong surveillance, HHI for diffuse disease and AVOID ionising radiation (NCCN BCC 2025)
Subtype recognition (nodular / superficial / morphoeic-infiltrative-sclerosing / pigmented / fibroepithelioma-of-Pinkus / basosquamous) is the master variable — drives both biopsy choice and risk stratification (NCCN BCC 2025)
Perineural invasion (PNI; pain, paraesthesia, motor weakness, named-nerve deficit) is a NCCN high-risk feature and may indicate deep / skull-base disease — imaging + multidisciplinary care (NCCN BCC 2025)
NCCN high-risk H zone (mask of face, ears, genitalia, hands/feet/areola) drives Mohs / margin-assessed excision selection regardless of size (NCCN BCC 2025)
Size thresholds by zone (H any size; M ≥1 cm; L ≥2 cm) and ill-defined borders elevate to NCCN high-risk and Mohs/margin-assessed pathways (NCCN BCC 2025)
Recurrent disease, immunosuppression (transplant, haematologic malignancy, HIV), and tumour arising in previously irradiated skin are NCCN high-risk and shift to Mohs / definitive surgery (NCCN BCC 2025)
Vismodegib and sonidegib are EMBRYOFETAL TOXIC (boxed warning) — pregnancy testing + contraception are mandatory before HHI; gates the systemic arm (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE PMID 22670903)
CT/MRI for locally advanced / suspected bone or orbital invasion / PNI; CT chest-abdomen for metastatic disease — not for routine low-risk BCC (NCCN BCC 2025)
Baseline before HHI / cemiplimab; cemiplimab irAE workup baseline (NCCN BCC 2025; Stratigos PMID 34000246)
Baseline + on-treatment for HHI hepatic monitoring and cemiplimab immune-hepatitis surveillance (NCCN BCC 2025)
Race-free eGFR (CKD-EPI 2021) for renal-dose context if cemiplimab + iodinated-contrast staging imaging needed in advanced disease (NCCN BCC 2025; Inker NEJM 2021)
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Severity triggers (7)
- informationallife_threateningsevere_cemiplimab_iraeGrade 3-4 immune-related adverse event on cemiplimab (colitis / hepatitis / pneumonitis / myocarditis / endocrine crisis) (Stratigos PMID 34000246)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverelocally_advanced_or_metastatic_bccBCC not amenable to surgery or radiation (unresectable / unacceptable morbidity) OR bona-fide regional nodal / distant metastatic disease (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE PMID 22670903)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereperineural_invasion_named_nerveSymptoms or imaging consistent with perineural invasion of a named nerve (pain, paraesthesia, motor weakness, facial palsy) (NCCN BCC 2025)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverepregnancy_with_hhi_indicationFemale of reproductive potential with locally advanced / metastatic BCC requiring HHI therapy (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE PMID 22670903)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmoderategorlin_basal_cell_nevus_syndromePatient with PTCH1 / basal-cell-nevus (Gorlin) syndrome: multiple BCC, palmar/plantar pits, odontogenic keratocyst history, calcified falx, medulloblastoma family history (NCCN BCC 2025)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmoderatepigmented_bcc_vs_melanoma_uncertaintyPigmented lesion with mixed BCC and melanoma dermoscopy features where the diagnosis is not clear (NCCN BCC 2025; AAD 2019 melanoma PMID 30392755)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmoderaterecurrent_bcc_after_mohsRecurrence at a previously Mohs-excised BCC site, or recurrent BCC after any prior therapy (NCCN BCC 2025)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
Workflow calculators
Run this disease's risk and dosing calculators inline.
Recommended regimen
BCC — risk-directed treatment ladder (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE / BOLT / Stratigos)- standard_surgical_excision_4mm_marginfirst linedefinitive_surgerytriggers: biopsy_confirmed_low_risk_bccNCCN BCC 2025 — 4-mm clinical margin standard excision achieves ~95% cure in low-risk primary BCC.
- electrodesiccation_and_curettagefirst linedestructive_proceduretriggers: superficial_or_nodular_low_risk_trunk_extremity, not_terminal_hair_bearingNCCN BCC 2025 — ED&C for low-risk superficial/nodular BCC on non-terminal-hair-bearing skin; avoid on scalp / beard area (deeper follicular extension).
- cryosurgerysecond linedestructive_proceduretriggers: superficial_low_risk_when_surgery_declinedNCCN BCC 2025 — cryosurgery is an option for selected superficial low-risk BCC when surgery is declined / unfeasible.
- imiquimodsecond linetopical_immune_response_modifier5% cream • topical • 5x/week x 6 weeks (max: per tolerance / site reaction)triggers: superficial_bcc_only, cosmetically_sensitive_site, patient_declines_surgeryNCCN BCC 2025 — topical imiquimod 5% for superficial BCC only (NOT nodular / infiltrative); clearance ~75-80% at 12 wk; brisk inflammation expected.rxcui 59943
- fluorouracilsecond linetopical_antimetabolite5% cream • topical • BID x 3-6 weeks (max: per tolerance / site reaction)triggers: superficial_bcc_only, patient_declines_surgeryNCCN BCC 2025 — topical 5-FU 5% for superficial BCC only; lower clearance than imiquimod and surgery; expect erosion / inflammation.rxcui 4492
- definitive_radiotherapysecond lineradiotherapytriggers: non_surgical_candidate, cosmetic_or_functional_preservation_priorityNCCN BCC 2025 — definitive RT for non-surgical candidates or selected cosmetic sites; AVOID in Gorlin (radiosensitive — risk of new BCC and secondary malignancy) and in young patients.
outpatient playbook — drug actions (5)
- 1. standard surgical excision 4-mm margin (low-risk) or Mohs micrographic surgery (high-risk)4-mm clinical margin standard excision; Mohs to clear margins • surgical • single definitive proceduretrigger: Biopsy-confirmed BCC, risk tier assigned (NCCN BCC 2025)Risk-directed local therapy is curative for the great majority of BCC
- 2. imiquimod 5% (superficial BCC only) OR 5-FU 5% (superficial BCC only)rxcui 599435% cream • topical • imiquimod 5x/wk x 6 wk; 5-FU BID x 3-6 wktrigger: Superficial BCC where surgery declined / not preferred (NCCN BCC 2025)Topical option for superficial BCC only — NOT for nodular / infiltrative; lower clearance than surgery
- 3. vismodegib 150 mg PO daily (advanced/metastatic; first-line HHI)rxcui 1242987150 mg • PO • once daily continuoustrigger: Locally advanced / metastatic / recurrent-after-Mohs (ERIVANCE PMID 22670903)Hedgehog-pathway inhibition — ORR 43% laBCC, 30% mBCC; embryofetal toxic boxed warning
- 4. cemiplimab 350 mg IV q3wk (HHI-refractory / -intolerant)rxcui 2058826350 mg • IV • q3wktrigger: Progression on / intolerance to HHI (Stratigos PMID 34000246)Anti-PD-1 second-line for laBCC after HHI; ORR 31%
- 5. nicotinamide 500 mg PO BID (chemoprevention for high-risk patients)rxcui 7405500 mg • PO • BIDtrigger: Multiple prior NMSC / organ-transplant / dense actinic field (ONTRAC PMID 26488693)Reduces new NMSC ~23% at 12 mo; safe, OTC
Auto-drafted A&P note
outpatientSubjective
- Possible entry pathways: Pearly papule with arborising telangiectasia ± rolled border ± central ulceration on chronically UV-exposed skin (NCCN BCC 2025; AAD 2019); Non-healing, recurrently bleeding or crusting skin lesion ("the lesion that will not heal") — classic BCC story (NCCN BCC 2025); Atrophic, scar-like, ill-defined plaque on the face/forehead — morphoeic/sclerosing/infiltrative BCC (high-risk histologic pattern, NCCN BCC 2025).Objective
- No vitals, labs, or imaging entered for this encounter.
Assessment
**Basal cell carcinoma** (derm.basal-cell-carcinoma.core.v1). Phenotype framing: Terminal differential with named pivots: BCC vs squamous-cell carcinoma (hyperkeratotic firm plaque + tender + faster growing — route derm.squamous-cell-carcinoma-skin.core.v1) vs actinic keratosis (rough hyperkeratotic macule on UV-damaged field — route derm.actinic-keratosis-nmsc.core.v1) vs sebaceous hyperplasia (yellowish umbilicated papule, crown-vessels dermoscopy pivot) vs intradermal nevus (soft skin-coloured papule, no telangiectasia pivot) vs molluscum contagiosum (central umbilication, often multiple pivot) vs pigmented seborrheic keratosis (stuck-on, milia-like cysts pivot) vs MELANOMA (asymmetric network, blue-white veil — route derm.melanoma.core.v1 if any doubt — pigmented BCC is the principal melanoma-mimic) vs fibrous papule (firm conical papule, nose) vs Merkel-cell carcinoma (rapidly growing, red-purple, immunosuppressed-elderly — high suspicion → urgent biopsy + MDT). Field cancerisation means BCC + SCC + AK frequently co-exist. Scope: Frame BCC as the most common cancer in fair-skinned populations — locally destructive, rarely metastatic. The dermatology engine owns recognition, biopsy, NCCN risk stratification, definitive local therapy (Mohs / excision / ED&C / topical / RT) AND the locally advanced/metastatic systemic ladder (HHI → cemiplimab), routing only the rare bona-fide visceral metastatic / skull-base disease to multidisciplinary care. Gorlin syndrome and field cancerisation overlap with SCC and melanoma are recognised here. No severity triggers fired against current inputs.
Plan
Regimen axis: **BCC — risk-directed treatment ladder (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE / BOLT / Stratigos)** — step "Step 1 — Low-risk BCC: surgical or topical local therapy (dermatology-owned)". 1. standard_surgical_excision_4mm_margin (definitive_surgery, first line) — NCCN BCC 2025 — 4-mm clinical margin standard excision achieves ~95% cure in low-risk primary BCC. 2. electrodesiccation_and_curettage (destructive_procedure, first line) — NCCN BCC 2025 — ED&C for low-risk superficial/nodular BCC on non-terminal-hair-bearing skin; avoid on scalp / beard area (deeper follicular extension). 3. cryosurgery (destructive_procedure, second line) — NCCN BCC 2025 — cryosurgery is an option for selected superficial low-risk BCC when surgery is declined / unfeasible. 4. imiquimod 5% cream topical 5x/week x 6 weeks (topical_immune_response_modifier, second line) — NCCN BCC 2025 — topical imiquimod 5% for superficial BCC only (NOT nodular / infiltrative); clearance ~75-80% at 12 wk; brisk inflammation expected. 5. fluorouracil 5% cream topical BID x 3-6 weeks (topical_antimetabolite, second line) — NCCN BCC 2025 — topical 5-FU 5% for superficial BCC only; lower clearance than imiquimod and surgery; expect erosion / inflammation. 6. definitive_radiotherapy (radiotherapy, second line) — NCCN BCC 2025 — definitive RT for non-surgical candidates or selected cosmetic sites; AVOID in Gorlin (radiosensitive — risk of new BCC and secondary malignancy) and in young patients. Setting playbook (outpatient) — Recognise BCC by subtype morphology + dermoscopy, biopsy to confirm, assign NCCN low/high/locally-advanced/metastatic risk tier, deliver risk-directed local therapy (Mohs / excision / ED&C / topical / RT) or systemic Hedgehog-pathway-inhibitor ladder for advanced disease, and establish lifelong total-body skin surveillance (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE PMID 22670903; BOLT PMID 25981810; Stratigos PMID 34000246) 7. standard surgical excision 4-mm margin (low-risk) or Mohs micrographic surgery (high-risk) 4-mm clinical margin standard excision; Mohs to clear margins surgical single definitive procedure — Biopsy-confirmed BCC, risk tier assigned (NCCN BCC 2025) (Risk-directed local therapy is curative for the great majority of BCC) 8. imiquimod 5% (superficial BCC only) OR 5-FU 5% (superficial BCC only) 5% cream topical imiquimod 5x/wk x 6 wk; 5-FU BID x 3-6 wk — Superficial BCC where surgery declined / not preferred (NCCN BCC 2025) (Topical option for superficial BCC only — NOT for nodular / infiltrative; lower clearance than surgery) 9. vismodegib 150 mg PO daily (advanced/metastatic; first-line HHI) 150 mg PO once daily continuous — Locally advanced / metastatic / recurrent-after-Mohs (ERIVANCE PMID 22670903) (Hedgehog-pathway inhibition — ORR 43% laBCC, 30% mBCC; embryofetal toxic boxed warning) 10. cemiplimab 350 mg IV q3wk (HHI-refractory / -intolerant) 350 mg IV q3wk — Progression on / intolerance to HHI (Stratigos PMID 34000246) (Anti-PD-1 second-line for laBCC after HHI; ORR 31%) 11. nicotinamide 500 mg PO BID (chemoprevention for high-risk patients) 500 mg PO BID — Multiple prior NMSC / organ-transplant / dense actinic field (ONTRAC PMID 26488693) (Reduces new NMSC ~23% at 12 mo; safe, OTC) Non-pharmacologic actions: - Diagnostic shave or punch biopsy of the most representative area (full-thickness for any pigmented lesion where melanoma is possible) (NCCN BCC 2025) - Electrodesiccation-and-curettage for selected low-risk superficial/nodular BCC on non-hair-bearing skin (NCCN BCC 2025) - Definitive radiotherapy for non-surgical candidates (AVOID in Gorlin syndrome) - Multidisciplinary tumour-board referral for locally advanced / PNI / orbital-bony invasion / metastatic disease - Genetics referral for suspected Gorlin syndrome (≥2 BCCs <30 y, ≥5 BCC lifetime, palmar pits, falx calcification, medulloblastoma family history) - Photoprotection + skin self-examination + nicotinamide chemoprevention counselling for high-risk patients (NCCN BCC 2025; ONTRAC PMID 26488693) AVOID / contraindication checks: - Vismodegib sonidegib embryofetal toxic boxed warning (NCCN BCC 2025 — pregnancy testing + effective contraception MANDATORY before HHI; continue contraception 24 months post vismodegib, 20 months post sonidegib, no pregnancy during or for 7 months post in male partners; do not donate blood/semen during or for 24 months post) - Avoid ionising radiation in gorlin syndrome (PTCH1 patients are radiosensitive — RT can induce new BCC and secondary malignancies; reserve RT only when no alternative) - Topical imiquimod and 5fu only for superficial bcc (NOT for nodular / infiltrative / morphoeic / pigmented — lower efficacy and risk of treating only superficial component of a deeper tumour) - Edc not on terminal hair bearing sites (deeper follicular extension defeats ED&C on scalp / beard / pubic area) - Cemiplimab irae recognition and emergent management (Grade 3 4 immune colitis / hepatitis / pneumonitis / myocarditis / endocrinopathy → hold drug, systemic corticosteroids per oncology pathway, multidisciplinary review) - Do not biopsy shave a lesion suspected to be melanoma (pigmented BCC vs melanoma — when doubt exists use a full thickness biopsy or route to derm.melanoma.core.v1 to preserve Breslow staging)
Monitoring
Regimen monitoring: - lifelong total-body skin exam every 6-12 months (60-90% lifetime risk of a second BCC after a first; intensified in Gorlin / transplant / prior RT) (NCCN BCC 2025) - HHI on-treatment: serum LFT baseline + periodic; muscle cramps / spasm assessment (consider serum CK if severe); weight; dysgeusia; alopecia (ERIVANCE PMID 22670903; BOLT PMID 25981810) - HHI pregnancy / contraception status surveillance for women of reproductive potential throughout therapy and post per labelling - cemiplimab on-treatment: routine irAE surveillance — skin, thyroid (TSH every cycle), hepatitis (LFT), colitis (symptoms), pneumonitis (cough/dyspnoea), hypophysitis, myocarditis (Stratigos PMID 34000246) - photoprotection adherence + skin self-examination habit reinforcement at every visit (NCCN BCC 2025) Setting (outpatient) monitoring: - Lifelong total-body skin exam every 6-12 months (60-90% second-BCC risk) (NCCN BCC 2025) - HHI: LFT, muscle-cramp / weight / dysgeusia / alopecia surveillance; pregnancy/contraception status throughout therapy (ERIVANCE PMID 22670903) - Cemiplimab: routine irAE surveillance (skin, thyroid, hepatitis, colitis, pneumonitis, myocarditis) (Stratigos PMID 34000246) Follow-up plan: Lifelong derm continuity: photoprotection (broad-spectrum SPF ≥30, sun-protective clothing, behavioural avoidance), skin self-examination education, family / Gorlin counselling, chemoprevention discussion (nicotinamide 500 mg BID — ONTRAC trial NEJM PMID 26488693 reduced new NMSC ~23% in high-risk patients; consider for those with multiple BCC / SCC / dense field). Organ-transplant recipients receive intensified surveillance and individualised immunosuppression review with transplant team. Recurrence at the prior site → re-biopsy + escalate to Mohs / margin-assessed excision; new advanced / metastatic disease → re-enter systemic ladder. - Close-out criterion: photoprotection + self-exam + chemoprevention + surveillance schedule documented Monitoring phase: Surveillance: total-body skin exam every 6-12 months for life (60-90% lifetime risk of a second BCC after a first; rises further in Gorlin, organ transplant, prior RT). On HHI: monitor for muscle spasm / cramps (manage with hydration, magnesium, dose holds; serum CK if severe), alopecia, dysgeusia, weight loss, hepatic transaminases (LFT), and pregnancy status in any female of reproductive potential (contraception during + 24 months after vismodegib, 20 months after sonidegib per labelling). On cemiplimab: immune-related adverse events (skin, thyroid, hepatitis, colitis, pneumonitis, hypophysitis, myocarditis).
Disposition
Current setting: outpatient — Recognise BCC by subtype morphology + dermoscopy, biopsy to confirm, assign NCCN low/high/locally-advanced/metastatic risk tier, deliver risk-directed local therapy (Mohs / excision / ED&C / topical / RT) or systemic Hedgehog-pathway-inhibitor ladder for advanced disease, and establish lifelong total-body skin surveillance (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE PMID 22670903; BOLT PMID 25981810; Stratigos PMID 34000246) Disposition criteria: - Low-risk BCC fully excised / treated → routine surveillance (NCCN BCC 2025) - High-risk BCC → Mohs / margin-assessed excision ± adjuvant RT; surveillance - Locally advanced / metastatic disease → systemic HHI ± cemiplimab + MDT shared-care - Gorlin / transplant / high-risk field → intensified surveillance + chemoprevention Escalation triggers (move to higher acuity): - Perineural invasion symptoms (named-nerve pain / paraesthesia / motor weakness) → cross-sectional imaging + MDT (NCCN BCC 2025) - Locally advanced / unresectable / orbital-bony invasion → systemic HHI + MDT - Bona-fide regional / distant metastasis → systemic ladder + MDT - Severe cemiplimab irAE (Grade 3-4) → hold drug + systemic corticosteroids per oncology pathway - Suspected basosquamous histology → manage with SCC-grade aggression (route derm.squamous-cell-carcinoma-skin.core.v1)
Earlier-Return Triggers
Return-precaution thresholds (watch for): - [LIFE_THREATENING] Grade 3-4 immune-related adverse event on cemiplimab (colitis / hepatitis / pneumonitis / myocarditis / endocrine crisis) (Stratigos PMID 34000246) - [SEVERE] BCC not amenable to surgery or radiation (unresectable / unacceptable morbidity) OR bona-fide regional nodal / distant metastatic disease (NCCN BCC 2025; ERIVANCE PMID 22670903) - [SEVERE] Symptoms or imaging consistent with perineural invasion of a named nerve (pain, paraesthesia, motor weakness, facial palsy) (NCCN BCC 2025)
Citations
- NCCN Basal Cell Skin Cancer v.1.2025 (NCCN.org) + AAD/ACMS/ASDSA/ASMS appropriate-use criteria for Mohs micrographic surgery + ERIVANCE (Sekulic NEJM 2012; PMID 22670903, DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1113713) + BOLT primary (Migden Lancet Oncol 2015; PMID 25981810, DOI 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)70100-2) + BOLT 42-month final (Dummer JAAD 2020; PMID 33358380, DOI 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.08.042) + Cemiplimab post-HHI laBCC (Stratigos Lancet Oncol 2021; PMID 34000246, DOI 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00126-1) + Nicotinamide chemoprevention ONTRAC (Chen NEJM 2015; PMID 26488693, DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1506197) + AAD 2019 cutaneous melanoma for the pigmented-BCC-vs-melanoma pivot (Swetter JAAD 2019; PMID 30392755) [PMID:22670903](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22670903/) - Cited evidence (PMID 25981810) [PMID:25981810](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25981810/) - Cited evidence (PMID 33358380) [PMID:33358380](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33358380/) - Cited evidence (PMID 34000246) [PMID:34000246](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34000246/) - Cited evidence (PMID 26488693) [PMID:26488693](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26488693/) Last reconciled with current guidelines: 2026-05-26.
- NCCN Basal Cell Skin Cancer v.1.2025 (NCCN.org) + AAD/ACMS/ASDSA/ASMS appropriate-use criteria for Mohs micrographic surgery + ERIVANCE (Sekulic NEJM 2012; PMID 22670903, DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1113713) + BOLT primary (Migden Lancet Oncol 2015; PMID 25981810, DOI 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)70100-2) + BOLT 42-month final (Dummer JAAD 2020; PMID 33358380, DOI 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.08.042) + Cemiplimab post-HHI laBCC (Stratigos Lancet Oncol 2021; PMID 34000246, DOI 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00126-1) + Nicotinamide chemoprevention ONTRAC (Chen NEJM 2015; PMID 26488693, DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1506197) + AAD 2019 cutaneous melanoma for the pigmented-BCC-vs-melanoma pivot (Swetter JAAD 2019; PMID 30392755) — PMID:22670903
- Cited evidence (PMID 25981810) — PMID:25981810
- Cited evidence (PMID 33358380) — PMID:33358380
- Cited evidence (PMID 34000246) — PMID:34000246
- Cited evidence (PMID 26488693) — PMID:26488693