Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome

What are the screening options for NBCCS?

Current screening recommendations for people who are known or suspected to have NBCCS include:

Neurologic evaluation every six months from birth to age three, then every year to age seven to look for signs of medulloblastoma

Measurement of head size regularly throughout childhood

Yearly dental x-rays, beginning at age eight, to look for jaw cysts

At least yearly skin exams to watch for basal cell skin cancer. The frequency of exams will vary based on how many basal cell cancers or other skin problems a person has. Early treatment of small basal cell skin cancer reduces the amount of surgery and scarring. Regular exams should begin by the teenage years.

Due to the high risk for multiple skin cancers, people with NBCCS should avoid sun exposure and protect their skin when outside. 

Screening recommendations may change over time as new technologies are developed and more is learned about NBCCS. It is important to talk to your doctor about appropriate screening tests. In general, if there is a good screening option that doesn't use ionizing radiation, that screening option should be used to avoid skin damage in people with NBCCS.