Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Carcinoma de células basales
Basal cell carcinoma (BAY-sul SEL KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
A type of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. Also called basal cell cancer.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.