Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinomas originate in keratinocytes (cells that produces keratin) located in the basal layer of the epidermis — your skin's outermost layer. Although these tumors have low metastatic potential, they can invade locally and be destructive to your skin and surrounding structures, including bone.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the most critical factor in the development of basal cell carcinoma. This may occur from sun exposure or tanning bed use or be exacerbated by health conditions that increase photosensitivity.
City of Hope’s team of internationally trained dermatologists and dermatopathologists uses their clinical experience, expertise and leading-edge technology to provide you with the most accurate diagnosis for basal cell carcinoma.
City of Hope’s approach to treating skin cancer starts with a coordinated, multidisciplinary care team whose main goal is offering you the best, most individualized treatment plan for basal cell carcinoma.
Skin cancer is a disease that can appear in different ways in the body. Research at City of Hope is focused on those differences and on designing therapies that affect how skin cancer develops, progresses and spreads.
Getting treated for skin cancer at City of Hope means you are steps away from labs where new treatments for cancer are being developed every day. That proximity means you benefit from something unique in cancer care — bench-to-bedside treatment.
When you come to City of Hope, you have access to a strong network of support services and staff to help you and your family along your skin cancer journey.
Our Expertise
City of Hope is internationally recognized for its research and breakthrough treatments, has been named one of America’s top cancer hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade.
Our Commitment To Providing Exceptional Care Includes:
- Promising new therapies as part of our clinical trials program, including novel intralesional injection therapies. These include studying commercially approved agents such as TVEC, an oncolytic virus that directly targets melanoma tumors with other therapies.
- Collaboration with the Melanoma Research Foundation, National Clinical Trials Network, Cytokine Working Group, SWOG Cancer Research Network, and Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network, providing quick access to the newest therapies and clinical trials
- Deep experience with immunotherapy-based treatments — including pivotal clinical trials for widely used drugs like ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab
- Expertise with isolated limb infusion, a focused chemotherapy treatment unavailable at most other cancer centers
- Our internationally trained dermatopathologist combines clinical experience with leading-edge technology to provide the most accurate diagnosis.
- Tumor testing and customized drug therapy tailored to the molecular profile of specific skin cancers
- Expertise in advanced facial reconstructive and microvascular procedures for patients with complex skin cancers
- Survivorship clinics — including physical therapy for lymphedema-related side effects — provide support and monitoring throughout the disease.
Your care includes regular interaction and input from a team that includes oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, dermatologists and pathologists, along with nurses, social workers and specially trained support staff.
City of Hope is one of only a few dozen centers in the U.S. using a comprehensive approach by a multidisciplinary team whose sole focus is treating skin cancer.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
