Sunbathing is a very common activity to relish in the western world, people just on the beach side / poolside laid them to be kissed by sun rays relaxing their mind and body. Medically sun bathing is advisable as it is a natural source of vitamin D but thorough researches and investigations reveal a higher incidence of rodent ulcer in fair, dry skinned people that constantly indulge in sun baths.   
What is a rodent ulcer?
It is the low grade cancer of the basal layer of epidermis. Basal cell carcinoma that spreads via local invasion i.e. erodes areas that comes in contact very much evident from the term rodent attached to it. Most commonly it is observed in parts of the face over which a tear rolls down, aptly naming it a tear cancer too.
These usually begin as a nodule, with its central foci dying off gradually shaping up as an ulcer. An ulcer with rolled edges is very much evident on this stage. In later unchecked stages an ulcer may invade locally presenting in an irregular form and shape. With deep tissue involvement the edges become more and more prominent. The course is a very long one taking many years to finish up the entire line up.
Who all can be afflicted?
·         It most commonly involves elderly people in their middle or late stages of life.
·         The prevalence in White males is seen to be higher, attributed to a higher skin exposure
·         Australian labour class is seen to be affected the most with the tear cancer, with a combination of white skin, bright sunlight of higher actinic value.
Different types of rodent ulcer
Though the name is ulcer but many a times these may present in non ulcerated forms   too. The following are the different types of presentations one can come cross:-
·         Deep eroding ulcer with rolling edges, giving a beaded appearance i.e. with breaking healing areas in between
·         Nodular presentation
·         A baggy cystic presentation. Here a semi transparent swollen nodule with web of blood vessels all around is visible on the respective location
·         Pigmented ulcer
·         Forest fire appearance: this is mostly seen in advanced stages with excessive involvement and irregular format
How a patient presents?
To begin a patient starts complaining of either a nodule or an ulcer. It is painless on commencement with off and on itch sensation. With growth sometimes bleeding may be observed. Unchecked ulcers in due time may present with pain, bleeding, infection and invasion to the local areas.
Most importantly here lymph needs are not seen to be involved if enlarged the diagnosis must be reconsidered and the patient should be investigated for the root cause.
Treatment:
Local application can be used in nodular stages. Radiotherapy is a prevalent treatment seen to give fruitful results in 90 % of the cases of basal cell carcinoma. Surgery is to be adopted in cases where the lesions are close to eyes or may reappear on radio treatment.
More recent cryosurgery and laser beam destruction have proved their valuable existence in the field.