Monterey, CA Basal-Cell Carcinoma Treatments Improving

Basal-cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in the U.S.  Although it’s rarely fatal, if it does progress to an advanced stage it can be life threatening.  Until recently, there wasn’t much which could be done for advanced basal-cell carcinoma.  However, new drugs are coming to market which can help those that get into this unfortunate situation.  Melanoma only occurs in about 76,000 cases out of the 2.3 million skin-cancer diagnoses each year, according to the American Cancer Society.  About 80% of the 2.3 million are basal-cell carcinoma.  Melanoma results in 9,700 deaths per year versus 2,000 deaths a year for non-melanoma skin cancer.   In 2012, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first drug for basal-cell carcinoma (Erivege), although at $8,600 a month, treatment is pricey to say the least.  However, Novartis AG has applied to the FDA for approval of another drug called sonidegib, so hopefully this will drive prices down.