Abstract

Ageing and basal cell carcinoma therapy

Author(s): Yacob Mathai*

The form of skin cancer that is most frequently diagnosed is basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCCs are more common in the older population than in younger people, perhaps as a result of their link to cumulative sun exposure and other risk factors. In this article, we discuss geriatric ideas relevant to the treatment of senior citizens with BCCs. In order to better understand whether patients will experience the efficacy of a treatment within their life span, we discuss how a patient’s life expectancy may be assessed and paired with tumour features to predict lag time to benefit. We also discuss the potential for current BCC overdiagnosis and list the effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages of typical BCC therapies, highlighting that all treatment methods require extra attention when given to older persons. In particular, older persons with a short life expectancy may favour nonsurgical therapy [1]. In the end, we contend that the choice of whether and how to treat a BCC should be the outcome of collaborative decision-making between the patient and the healthcare professional and take into consideration both tumour features and patient values and preferences.