+ General Considerations
- Benign tumor arising from basal cells of the epidermis, hair follicles, or sweat or sebaceous glands
- Basal cell carcinomas may be induced by ultraviolet radiation
- Basal cell carcinomas account for 4%-12% of canine skin tumors
- Mean age 6-9 years
- Breed predisposition: Cocker Spaniel
- Sites: head, neck, and shoulders
- Gross appearance: solitary, well-circumscribed, freely movable, and pigmented, solid, or cystic ± ulcerated in cats
- Metastasis is rare but local tumor recurrence after incomplete excision is possible
- Treatment: surgery or cryosurgery (if < 1 cm)
- Prognosis: excellent