Treating Rodent Ulcer

Rodent ulcer or basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that is harmless. It is the most common cancer that develops in people over the age of 40 years and basically appears on neck and face.

The growth starts from a cell, which multiplies in an uncontrolled manner. A tumour is formed having a hard smooth surface. As this tumor grows and becomes big, the area around it begins to crack and develops a scab over it. Some of these remain flat but may have pigments on them.

Rodent ulcers are not like usual cancers. They do not spread from one part of the body to other (do not have metastatic tendency).

Patients do not come to know about them easily, as these are very slowly growing cancers.

Major cause of this cancer is the exposure to the sunlight. Basal cell carcinoma develops when a part of body is exposed to sunlight more than needed. That’s why it occurs on face or neck as they are always exposed to sunlight.

Before it’s treatment, it is important to confirm the diagnosis of a rodent ulcer because some other skin diseases may also look like it. Doctors confirm the rodent ulcer by testing a small piece from the infected area.

If it is confirmed, then there are three ways to treat it i.e. surgery, cryotherapy and radiotherapy.

Small tumors are mainly treated by surgery. After giving local anesthesia the tumour is cut and the skin is stitched, leaving behind a small scar.

In cryotherapy thin tumors are treated by putting a very cold liquid (nitrogen) on it, which stops the further growth of the cells. Usually after this treatment a blister develops which bursts later on and makes the skin normal.

In radiotherapy, X-ray treats the tumour. Skin becomes red and sore and the tumour develops a scab and finishes. As this therapy is harmful for the skin, a mask is put over the area and the treatment is done by making a hole in that mask. This too can leave a white scar over the area.