Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, originating in the basal cells, which are found in the lowest layer of the epidermis (the outer skin layer) and are responsible for producing new skin cells as old ones die off

. BCC typically appears as a shiny, skin-colored bump or nodule that may be translucent, pearly, or pink on lighter skin, and can look brown or glossy black on darker skin. It can also present as a flat, scaly patch, a brown or black lesion with a raised border, or a white, waxy scar-like area

. The main cause of basal cell carcinoma is long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, which damages the DNA in basal cells and leads to uncontrolled cell growth

. Although BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause significant local tissue damage if untreated

. It most commonly develops on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and head but can also occur on less exposed areas like the genitals

. BCC is usually curable, especially when detected early, with treatments including surgical removal, cryosurgery, and Mohs micrographic surgery, which have high cure rates

. People with fair skin, light eyes, and a history of sun exposure or previous BCC are at higher risk

. In summary, basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing, common skin cancer caused primarily by UV damage to basal cells in the skin, characterized by various types of skin lesions, and generally has a good prognosis with appropriate treatment