Historically, men are affected twice as often as women. The higher incidence in men probably is due to increased recreational and occupational exposure to the sun, though these differences are becoming less significant with changes in lifestyle. The likelihood of developing BCC increases with age. With the exception of the basal cell nevus syndrome, BCC rarely is seen in patients younger than 40 years. Patients often complain of a slowly enlarging lesion that does not heal and bleeds when traumatized.
Patients often have a history of chronic sun exposure.
Occasionally, patients have a history of exposure to ionizing radiation. X-ray treatment for acne was used commonly until 1950. Nodular BCC Nodular BCC is the most common type of BCC and usually presents as a round, pearly, flesh-colored papule with telangiectases. As it enlarges, it frequently ulcerates centrally, leaving a raised, pearly border with telangiectases, which aids in making the diagnosis. Most tumors are seen on the face, although the trunk and extremities also are affected.