Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing skin cancer arising from which cells?

Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing skin cancer arising from which cells?

• A. Melanocytes
• B. Keratinocytes
• C. Basal epidermal cells
• D. Langerhans cells

Answer: (C)

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the deepest layer of the epidermis, the basal layer (stratum basale), where basal epidermal cells reside. These cells continually divide to produce keratinocytes that move upward to form the skin’s outer layers. Because the tumor originates from these basal cells, it tends to grow slowly and stay locally rather than spreading widely. The other cell types listed have different roles: melanocytes produce pigment; Langerhans cells are immune cells in the epidermis; keratinocytes are the main epidermal cells formed as they migrate from the basal layer, but the cancer of this type arises specifically from the basal cells themselves.

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the deepest layer of the epidermis, the basal layer (stratum basale), where basal epidermal cells reside. These cells continually divide to produce keratinocytes that move upward to form the skin’s outer layers. Because the tumor originates from these basal cells, it tends to grow slowly and stay locally rather than spreading widely. The other cell types listed have different roles: melanocytes produce pigment; Langerhans cells are immune cells in the epidermis; keratinocytes are the main epidermal cells formed as they migrate from the basal layer, but the cancer of this type arises specifically from the basal cells themselves.