Kevin Jonas has recently revealed that he underwent surgery in order to remove a cancerous mole from his forehead.
He specifically shared about having a basal cell carcinoma surgically removed from his forehead.
Kevin Jonas Undergoes Surgical Removal of Cancerous Mole
The Jonas Brothers lead guitarist and singer took it to Instagram to share the news of his surgical procedure. He shared that the skin cancer culprit could be found close to his hairline on his forehead's right side.
He confirmed that it was indeed a "little skin cancer guy" that began growing to the point where surgical removal was necessary.
He offered an update post-operation, sharing that it was time for him to heal and also go home.
Jonas also shared in the caption that his post serves as a friendly reminder to others that they should get their moles checked.
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Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a kind of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells. These cells are skin cells responsible for new skin cell production when old ones die. The cancer results from uncontrolled and abnormal basal cell growth.
It is considered the most common skin cancer type and the most frequently occurring cancer of all. Across the US, there are around 3.6 million cases that get diagnosed each year.
BCC may exhibit itself as red patches, open sores, shiny bumps, pink growths, scars, or growths that have slightly rolled or elevated edges or indentation at the center. At times, BCCs may itch, ooze, bleed, or crust.
Such lesions typically surface in the areas of the body that are sun-exposed. For patients who have darker skin, roughly half of these BCCs have a brown pigment.
Basal cell carcinomas could also have a varied appearance from person to person.
These skin cancers rarely spread beyond their initial site. However, they could end up growing and turning dangerous and disfiguring.
BCCs that are untreated could grow wide and deep into the skin, become locally invasive, and destroy bone, tissue, and skin. The longer the wait for treatment, the higher the likelihood of BCC recurrence.
There are also aggressive and unusual cases where BCC spreads to other body parts. In other rare instances, this BCC could end up life-threatening.
How Basal Cell Carcinoma Develops
BCC mainly occurs when one of the basal cells in the skin develop a DNA mutation. Such basal cells can be found in the epidermis' bottom.
Skin cancer starts in the cells that make up the epidermis. As for BCC, it starts with the basal cells that make skin cells that keep on pushing older ones to the surface.
New skin cell production is controlled by the DNA of a basal cell. The DNA instructs cells what they should do.
The DNA mutation then tells the basal cell to keep on rapidly multiplying and growing even when it would typically die. Eventually, the abnormal cells that build up could form a cancerous tumor that may appear as a lesion on the skin.
Much of the DNA damage in the basal cells is believed to be due to UV radiation from sunlight, tanning beds, and commercial tanning lamps. However, exposure to the sun does not shed light on skin cancers that may surface in skin areas that do not get ordinary sun exposure.
There are other factors that could contribute to the development and risk of BCC. There are instances where the exact cause is unclear.
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