Three superficial basal cell carcinomas on the right forearm of a 41 year old white female patient. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), or rodent ulcer, is the most common form of skin cancer among fair-skinned people. It mostly affects the elderly, although in recent years the average age of onset has steadily decreased. It usually appears on the face and is thought to be caused by the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. Superficial BCCs are slow-growing lesions. Treatments for basal cell carcinoma include radiotherapy, cryotherapy, cauterisation and surgical excision.