Dermoscopic features of basal cell carcinoma and its subtypes: A systematic review

Basal Cell Carcinoma: Comprehensive Review with Emphasis on Scar Tissue Manifestation and Post-Vaccination Incidence

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) arising within scar tissue is a rare but clinically significant phenomenon. This comprehensive review aims to provide a succinct overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the etiological factors, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and management of BCC. This study constitutes a literature review pertaining to BCC, with a particular emphasis on BCC developing within scar tissue. It also provides a clinical case presentation of a patient who had developed BCC in a BCG post-vaccination scar and a review of analogous findings available in the existing literature. Despite the fact that an array of mechanisms play a role in injury-related BCC growth, the main mechanism remains ambiguous and yet to be elucidated. The review also includes a detailed description of the various therapeutic options available for BCC, ranging from surgical interventions to novel pharmacological treatments. By examining these intersections, the review seeks to elucidate the potential mechanisms, identify risk factors, and suggest considerations for clinical practice. The findings underscore the importance of vigilant dermatological assessment in patients with scar tissue and those recently vaccinated, aiming to improve early detection and optimize management strategies for BCC.

Dermotoscope assisted diagnosis of adolescent bullous pilomatricoma: six case reports

BACKGROUND

Pilomatricoma (PM) is a cutaneous benign neoplasm derived from the hair matrix. It clinically presents as a solitary and firm nodule overlying normal epidermis and is usually not easy to be noticed at early stage. Nevertheless, when special bullous lesion occurs in a short time or even ulcerates, preoperative diagnosis by a dermatologist is often challenging especially when the pediatric patients refuse biopsy.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present six bullous PM cases and particularly conduct correlation analysis on the dermotoscopy and histopathology detection data. The basic information, medical history, symptoms and lesion morphology results of the patients were also provided. We found that the incidence of bullous PM was higher in females than in males, and most patients were adolescents and the predilection location seem to be consistent in the vaccine injection site. The dermatoscopic features of bullous PM reported were luminous yellow structure below, with gray-blue homogeneous areas and branched capillary. The histological features were consistent with PM, and evident epidermis bullae were above the tumor with extraordinary dilation of lymphangion in the upper dermis. The patients described in this study were Chinese patients in Han population included 4 females and 2 males, coincidentally, they are almost teen-age, respectively are 5,11,17,19,21,22 year-old.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported and analyzed the dermotoscopy and clinical characteristics of bullous PM, dermotoscopy may guide as a rapid and reliable technique in bullous PM diagnosis.

Importance of Both Clinical and Dermoscopic Findings in Predicting High-Risk Histopathological Subtype in Facial Basal Cell Carcinomas

INTRODUCTION

Being able to recognize high-risk facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) may lead to fewer incomplete excisions and inappropriate treatments.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to investigate clinical and dermoscopic criteria for predicting facial BCC subtypes, analyze the interobserver agreement between readers, and develop a diagnostic algorithm to predict high-risk histopathological subtype.

METHODS

In this single-center, retrospective investigation, 6 independent readers evaluated predefined clinical and dermoscopic criteria in images of histopathologically verified primary facial BCCs including: topography, border demarcation, vessels, ulceration, white porcelain areas, shiny white blotches and strands, and pigmented structures and vessels within ulceration.

RESULTS

Overall, 297 clinical and dermoscopic image pairs were analyzed. The strongest associations with high-risk subtype were: "bumpy" topography (OR 3.8, 95% CI, 3.1-4.7), ill-defined borders (OR 3.4, 95% CI 3.1-4.7), white porcelain area (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.8-4.5), and vessels within ulceration (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.4-4.1). Predominantly focused vessels were a positive diagnostic criterium for either nodular (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2) or high-risk (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6-2.5) subtypes and a strong negative diagnostic criterium for superficial BCC (OR 14.0, 95% CI 9.6-20.8). Interobserver agreement ranged from fair to substantial (κ = 0.36 to 0.72). A diagnostic algorithm based on these findings demonstrated a sensitivity of 81.4% (95% CI, 78.9-83.7%) and a specificity of 53.3% (95% CI, 49.7-56.9%) for predicting high-risk BCC subtype.

CONCLUSIONS

Integration of both clinical and dermoscopic features (including novel features such as topography and vessels within ulceration) are essential to improve subtype prediction of facial BCCs and management decisions.

Dermoscopic features of pigmented basal cell carcinoma according to size

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common skin cancer in humans, requires early detection. Dermoscopy enhances diagnostic accuracy through a noninvasive approach. Pigmented BCC (pBCC) is characterized by distinctive dermoscopic features, including the presence of pigmented globules or nests. While dermoscopic features of large pBCC (size >6 mm) have been extensively studied, limited data are available on small pBCC (size ≤6 mm) and its relationship with tumor progression.

METHODS

Dermoscopic images of histologically proven pBCCs were collected between 2014 and 2022 at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Each image was analyzed for patterns of pigmentation, vasculature, and epidermal and dermal structures. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the differences according to the size and the trend during tumor progression.

RESULTS

In total, 135 pBCCs (48 small and 87 large) were included. Pigment structures were present in all cases. Short fine telangiectasia and small erosions constituted over 85% of the cases, showing no significant distinction between small and large pBCCs, nor any specific pattern correlating with tumor enlargement. The number of arborizing vessels, ulcerations, and shiny white structures showed an increasing trend associated with size progression. Arborizing vessels appeared when tumor size exceeded 6 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a dynamic interpretation of the dermoscopic features of pBCC according to size enlargement. Short fine telangiectasia and small erosions are highly important features for the early diagnosis of small pBCCs. Arborizing vessels, ulceration, and shiny white structures are more frequent in large pBCCs, and they increase in association with tumor progression.

Clinico-epidemiological characteristics and long-term surgical outcome of basal cell carcinoma treated with standard excision in patients of skin of colour: A retrospective study from Northern India

Background There is scant data on basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in Indian patients. This retrospective study was conducted to explore epidemiology, risk factors, clinical and pathological aspects, and long-term treatment outcomes of BCC in a cohort of North Indian patients. Methods Data about patients registered in the dermatosurgery clinic between 01 January 2017 and 31 December 2022 with a confirmed diagnosis of BCC was collected. Results Among the 83 patients, 56.6% were females, and the median age was 62 years (6-85 years). Most patients (81.9%) had a single BCC lesion, resulting in a total of 126 assessed lesions. The median size of BCC at presentation was 1.90 cm, with nodular BCC being the most common histopathological subtype (39.7%). Head and neck region involvement was observed in 82.5% of patients, with the malar region, nose, and periorbital region being the most commonly affected sites. Pigmentation was clinically evident in 45.2% of cases. Surgical excision was the primary treatment modality (71.1% of patients). The median follow-up duration was 40 months (6-57 months). Recurrence occurred in five patients, with a longer disease-free survival period observed in the surgically treated group (55.58 ± 0.98 months) compared to patients treated with medical or destructive therapies (43.6 ± 3.482 months) (p = 0.003). Conclusion The data from this hospital-based study indicated a slight predilection for females among North Indian patients with BCC, with most cases occurring during their seventh decade of life. The condition commonly occurred on sun-exposed areas such as the malar region and nose, with a high percentage of pigmented lesions. Recurrence following surgical excision was rare, and overall treatment outcomes were favourable.

Understanding the Dermoscopic Patterns of Basal Cell Carcinoma Using Line-Field Confocal Tomography

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignancy in the general population. To date, dermoscopy is considered a key tool for the diagnosis of BCC; nevertheless, line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT), a new non-invasive optical technique, has become increasingly important in clinical practice, allowing for in vivo imaging at cellular resolution. The present study aimed to investigate the possible correlation between the dermoscopic features of BCC and their LC-OCT counterparts. In total, 100 histopathologically confirmed BCC cases were collected at the Dermatologic Clinic of the University of Siena, Italy. Predefined dermoscopic and LC-OCT criteria were retrospectively evaluated, and their frequencies were calculated. The mean (SD) age of our cohort was 65.46 (13.36) years. Overall, BCC lesions were mainly located on the head (49%), and they were predominantly dermoscopically pigmented (59%). Interestingly, all dermoscopic features considered had a statistically significant agreement with the LC-OCT criteria (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that dermoscopic patterns may be associated with LC-OCT findings, potentially increasing accuracy in BCC diagnosis. However, further studies are needed in this field.

Dermoscopy and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Findings of Basal Cell Carcinomas in Xeroderma Pigmentosum Patients

Background

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare inherited disorder with a high incidence of malignant tumours. Literature data on dermoscopic and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) findings in patients with XP are very limited.

Methods

Dermoscopic findings in 32 biopsy-proven BCCs and RCM findings in 10 biopsy-proven BCCs developed in seven XP patients were reviewed.

Results

Of 32 BCCs, 28 were pigmented. On dermoscopy, BCCs exhibited multiple grey-blue globules/dots (81, 3%), short-fine telangiectasias/fine arborising vessels (65, 6%), multiple grey-blue ovoid nests (53, 1%), white structures (white-red structureless areas/shiny white areas/lines/strands) (56, 3%), arborising vessels (37, 5%), brown nests/globules/dots (28, 1%), spoke-wheel structures (9, 4%), leaf-like areas (9, 4%), ulceration (28, 1%), peripheral network (21, 9%), and multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (3, 1%). In 10 lesions in which further imaging with RCM was performed, RCM findings differentiated BCC from other tumours, including primary melanoma.

Conclusions

Although the dominancy of pigmented structures may imitate melanoma clinically, dermoscopy is a valuable tool in the early diagnosis of BCCs in patients with XP. For suspicious lesions, RCM can help in differentiating pigmented BCC from primary melanoma.

A Systematic Review of Diagnoses with Rosettes Under Dermoscopy

INTRODUCTION

Rosettes are a cluster of shiny white dots in the shape of a four-leaf clover seen under polarized dermoscopic light. Historically, rosettes were primarily reported in actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma. However, rosettes have also been reported in other conditions.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this systematic review to elucidate the breadth of diagnoses exhibiting this unique dermoscopic phenomenon.

METHODS

A review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science, as well as a manual search of the reference lists of screened articles.

RESULTS

A total of 73 articles met the inclusion criteria. Out of these, 47 distinct diagnoses with rosette were identified. Among neoplastic conditions, keratinizing neoplasms had the highest number of articles reported (N = 19). Discoid lupus was the most commonly reported diagnosis within the inflammatory category (N = 6). Molluscum contagiosum was the predominant diagnosis among infectious entities (N = 3), while acroangiodermatitis was the sole diagnosis reported in the vascular category (N = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings confirm rosettes are not specific to keratinocytic growths and are observed in a wide range of conditions. Knowledge of the breadth of conditions with rosettes may aid clinicians when developing a differential diagnosis of a growth or an eruption with rosettes under dermoscopy.

European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for diagnosis and treatment of basal cell carcinoma-update 2023

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumour in white populations. Multidisciplinary experts from European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO), European Dermatology Forum, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes, and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology developed updated recommendations on diagnosis and treatment of BCC. BCCs were categorised into 'easy-to-treat' (common) and 'difficult-to-treat' according to the new EADO clinical classification. Diagnosis is based on clinico-dermatoscopic features, although histopathological confirmation is mandatory in equivocal lesions. The first-line treatment of BCC is complete surgery. Micrographically controlled surgery shall be offered in high-risk and recurrent BCC, and BCC located on critical anatomical sites. Topical therapies and destructive approaches can be considered in patients with low-risk superficial BCC. Photodynamic therapy is an effective treatment for superficial and low-risk nodular BCCs. Management of 'difficult-to-treat' BCCs should be discussed by a multidisciplinary tumour board. Hedgehog inhibitors (HHIs), vismodegib or sonidegib, should be offered to patients with locally advanced and metastatic BCC. Immunotherapy with anti-PD1 antibodies (cemiplimab) is a second-line treatment in patients with a progression of disease, contraindication, or intolerance to HHI therapy. Radiotherapy represents a valid alternative in patients who are not candidates for or decline surgery, especially elderly patients. Electrochemotherapy may be offered when surgery or radiotherapy is contraindicated. In Gorlin patients, regular skin examinations are required to diagnose and treat BCCs at an early stage. Long-term follow-up is recommended in patients with high-risk BCC, multiple BCCs, and Gorlin syndrome.

Use of preoperative and perioperative ex vivo dermoscopy for precise mapping of margins for standard surgical excision of primary basal cell carcinoma

Background The utility of preoperative and perioperative dermoscopy in standard surgical excision for radical excision of primary basal cell carcinoma remain unexplored. Aims To evaluate the use of preoperative and perioperative dermoscopy for precise mapping of margins during standard surgical excision of primary basal cell carcinoma. Methods In this retrospective, observational study, 17 patients clinically diagnosed with various morphological subtypes of basal cell carcinoma were included. Data about previous history, clinical examination of lesions and regional lymph nodes and preoperative dermoscopy were retrieved. After standard surgical excision had been carried out as per mapping of lateral margins, all the excised surgical specimens were subjected to perioperative dermoscopy and later reconfirmed with histopathology. Results Seventeen patients with mean age of 60.82 ± 9.99 years and median disease duration of 14 months were analysed. Clinically, basal cell carcinomas were of pigmented superficial subtype [6 (35.3%)], followed by pigmented nodular [5 (29.4%)], nodulo-ulcerative [4 (23.5%)] and micro nodular [2 (11.8%)]. Mean extension of clinical margin after dermoscopy was 0.59 ± 0.52 mm. Mean pre-assessed depth of tumour and mean depth of tumour were 3.46 ± 0.89 mm and 3.49 ± 0.92 mm, respectively. No recurrence was reported. Frequently found pre-operative dermoscopic features were maple leaf like structures [6 (35%)], blue grey dots and globules [6 (35%)] and short fine telangiectasias [6 (35%)]. Commonly observed perioperative dermoscopic features were: (1) irregular band with brown-grey pigmentation of dots, globules, streaks and pseudopodia like extensions [3 (50%)]; (2) irregular band of pseudo granulomatous structureless vascular areas in psoriasiform pattern with diffuse white streaks in pseudopodia like manner [1 (50%)]; (3) irregular band of pseudo granulomatous structureless vascular areas in psoriasiform pattern with streaks of white pseudopodia like structureless areas [1 (50%)]. Limitation This was a single-centre study with a small sample size. Conclusion This study highlights significance of preoperative and perioperative dermoscopy for precise planning and radical excision of primary basal cell carcinoma by standard surgical excision.

Methylation status, mRNA and protein expression of the SMAD4 gene in patients with non-melanocytic skin cancers

BACKGROUND

SMAD4 is a potent tumor suppressor. SMAD4 loss increases genomic instability and plays a critical role in the DNA damage response that leads to skin cancer development. We aimed to investigate SMAD4 methylation effects on mRNA and protein expression of SMAD4 in cancer and healthy tissues from patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and basosquamous skin cancer (BSC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study included 17 BCC, 24 cSCC and nine BSC patients. DNA and RNA were isolated from cancerous and healthy tissues following punch biopsy. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR methods were used to examine SMAD4 promoter methylation and SMAD4 mRNA levels, respectively. The percentage and intensity of staining of the SMAD4 protein were determined by immunohistochemistry. The percentage of SMAD4 methylation was increased in the patients with BCC (p = 0.007), cSCC (p = 0.004), and BSC (p = 0.018) compared to the healthy tissue. SMAD4 mRNA expression was decreased in the patients with BCC (p˂0.001), cSCC (p˂0.001), and BSC (p = 0.008). The staining characteristic of SMAD4 protein was negative in the cancer tissues of the patients with cSCC (p = 0.00). Lower SMAD4 mRNA levels were observed in the poorly differentiated cSCC patients (p = 0.001). The staining characteristics of the SMAD4 protein were related to age and chronic sun exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypermethylation of SMAD4 and reduced SMAD4 mRNA expression were found to play a role in the pathogenesis of BCC, cSCC, and BSC. A decrease in SMAD4 protein expression level was observed only in cSCC patients. This suggests that epigenetic alterations to the SMAD4 gene are associated with cSCC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The name of the trial register: SMAD4 Methylation and Expression Levels in Non-melanocytic Skin Cancers; SMAD4 Protein Positivity. The registration number: NCT04759261 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT04759261 ).

Clinical and dermoscopic variation of basal cell carcinoma according to age of onset and anatomic location: a multicenter, retrospective study

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is rare in young individuals and reported to possess different pathogenetic, clinical and histological features from late-onset BCC. However, the dermoscopic variability of BCC according to age of onset has not been investigated. Anatomic location was revealed to be associated with dermoscopic variation of BCC in Western population, but whether it applies to Asian population remains unknown. We evaluated the clinical and dermoscopic features of 448 BCCs and compared each feature by age of onset (age < 50/ > 50 years) and anatomic location. Early-onset BCCs occurred more frequently on non-sun-exposed sites (OR 3.28, P = 0.001) and were less pigmented than late-onset BCCs (P = 0.003). Blue-gray globules (OR 1.74, P = 0.037) and no vessels (OR 2.04, P = 0.021) were independently associated with early-onset BCCs, whereas arborizing telangiectasia (OR 0.30, P < 0.001), large blue-gray ovoid nests (OR 0.38, P < 0.001) and ulceration (OR 0.33, P < 0.001) were less common in early-onset BCCs. Scalp BCCs were significantly more pigmented than BCCs located elsewhere (P = 0.022). Superficial subtype (OR 5.90, P < 0.001), spoke-wheel areas (OR 4.78, P = 0.034), superficial erosions (OR 4.69, P = 0.003) and polymorph vessels (OR 6.86, P = 0.001) were independently associated with trunk BCCs, whereas nodular subtype (OR 5.48, P < 0.001) and arborizing telangiectasias (OR 3.64, P < 0.001) with BCCs on face and neck. Our findings suggest that age of onset and anatomic location are independent factors affecting the dermoscopic appearance of BCC.

Dermoscopic Pattern of Basal Cell Carcinoma in H- and Non-H-zones

INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) localized in the H-zone, the region of fusion of embryonic masses, has been associated with a higher risk of deeper invasion and more frequent recurrence.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to compare dermoscopic features of BCC in H and non-H zone that may most appropriately characterize those two locations.

METHODS

Dermoscopy images of histopathologically confirmed BCCs from 120 patients were retro-spectively analyzed. Dermoscopy features of BCC in H- and non-H zone were described and a comparative study of the dermoscopic pattern of BCC between the two locations was performed.

RESULTS

Of 120 BCC cases included in this study, 41 (34.2%) were located in the H-zone. The most frequent histological type was nodular (51.3% in H- zone and 61.6 % in non-H-zone) followed by superficial (5.1% and 19.8 % in H and non-H-zone respectively).In dermoscopy, there was a higher prevalence of ulceration (73.2% versus 43.6%, P < 0.001) in H-zone and a lower prevalence of brown globules (26.8% versus 53.2%; P = 0.01), when compared with the non-H-zone.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that dermoscopic features of BCC on the face fulfill a typical pattern regardless of the region, except for the prevalence of the ulceration which is significantly more frequent in H-zone and the brown globules present significantly more often in the non-H-zone It can be hypothesized that H-zone might predispose to more aggressive course of BCC complicated by ulceration and consequently deeper tissue destruction.

Recurrence or de novo? Intradermal Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scrotum: A Report of Two Cases

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy, usually occurring in sun-exposed areas. Although BCC in the scrotal region is uncommon, it carries a higher risk of metastasis than BCC at other sites. Here, we report two cases of BCC that developed in the scrotal region: Case 1 presented as a superficial nodule and Case 2 as a subcutaneous nodule. Histopathologically, both tumors lacked continuity with the surface epidermis and formed an intradermal nodule. In Case 1, BCC occurred for the first time and presumably developed de novo. Case 2 underwent excision of a scrotal BCC 5 years previously, and the histopathological diagnosis at that time was nodular BCC. However, when the original specimen was re-examined, it was determined that, although the tumor had been completely resected, part of the lesion had moved away from the nodular area to represent a micronodular phenotype, an aggressive BCC subtype. We hypothesized that partial evolution from a nodular to a micronodular phenotype may have contributed to the recurrence of BCC in Case 2.

Dermoscopic Clues of Histopathologically Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes

Background: The group of histopathologically aggressive BCC subtypes includes morpheaform, micronodular, infiltrative and metatypical BCC. Since these tumors are at increased risk of recurring, micrographically controlled surgery is considered the best therapeutic option. Although dermoscopy significantly improves the clinical recognition of BCC, scarce evidence exists on their dermoscopic criteria. Aim: To investigate the dermoscopic characteristics of histopathologically aggressive BCC subtypes. Materials and Methods: Dermoscopic images of morpheaform, micronodular, infiltrative and metatypical BCC were analyzed for the presence of predefined variables. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed. Results: Most histopathologically aggressive BCCs were located on the head and neck. Infiltrative was the most common subtype. All subtypes, except micronodular BCC, rarely displayed dermoscopic pigmentation. The most frequent dermoscopic features of infiltrative BCC were arborizing vessels (67.1%), shiny white structures (48.6%) and ulceration (52.9%). The features prevailing in morpheaform BCC were arborizing vessels (68.4%), ulceration (n = 12, 63.2%) and white porcelain areas (47.4%). Micronodular BCC was typified by milky red structureless areas (53.8%), arborizing vessels (53.8%), short fine telangiectasias (50%), ulceration (46.2%) and blue structures (57.7%). The most common findings in metatypical BCC were arborizing vessels (77.8%), shiny white structures (66.7%), ulceration (62.9%) and keratin mass (29.6%). Limitations: Study population of only white skin and relatively small sample size in some groups. Conclusions: Our study provided data on the clinical, dermoscopic and epidemiological characteristics of histopathologically aggressive BCCs.

Diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy for 934 basal cell carcinomas: A single-center retrospective study

Although the efficacy of dermoscopic diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has already been established, most studies have been conducted in Western countries. However, there are racial differences in the clinicopathological characteristics of BCC, highlighting the need for a survey among Asians. Herein, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy in 934 Japanese patients with BCC and statistically analyze the clinicopathological factors affecting diagnostic accuracy. We analyzed 5093 skin lesions, including 934 BCCs that were diagnosed consecutively from 1998 to 2018. The sensitivity and specificity of dermoscopic diagnosis for BCC were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of dermoscopic diagnosis were 92.2% and 96.0%, respectively. There were 73 false-negative cases of BCCs that were clinically diagnosed with other diseases. The most common incorrect clinical diagnosis was seborrheic keratosis (n = 18), followed by melanocytic nevus (n = 15). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that sensitivity was significantly lower in BCCs located on the trunk and extremities, which showed low pigmentation (less than 10% of the lesion surface) and were diagnosed by a resident dermatologist. Experience of 3-6 months of 12 resident dermatologists revealed increased sensitivity. Dermoscopy is a reliable tool for the accurate diagnosis of BCC in Japanese individuals. Care should be taken when diagnosing BCCs of the trunk and extremities, and the less-pigmented subtype because of lower sensitivity. A certain amount of experience is required to improve the skills for dermoscopy.

Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy-augmented characterization of pigmented micro-basal cell carcinoma (less than 2 mm diameter)

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, accounting for approximately 80% of nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnoses each year. Among other factors, the staging of BCC is influenced by its measured diameter. Stage 1 BCC is defined as a lesion measuring 2 cm across or less. Of note, there have been increasing publications reporting features of "small-sized" BCCs, which can present smaller than 1 mm. However, few of these studies have characterized features of pigmented small-sized BCC. The application of in-vivo imaging such as dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) allows for the non-invasive distinction of these lesions from benign and malignant melanocytic neoplasms, thereby reducing unnecessary biopsies.

METHODS

Within one year, three patients presented to Oregon Health and Science University's dermatology clinic with pigmented lesions of concern measuring less than 2 mm that were histologically confirmed as pigmented BCC. We sought to characterize the features of these lesions in a case series with the non-invasive imaging modalities of dermoscopy and RCM.

RESULTS

All cases presented clinically as a small, brown, macule on the face. Each of the three cases exhibited differing features on dermoscopy. With the application of RCM, we were able to visualize characteristic BCC features, prompting removal by shave biopsy.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, no other study has reported dermoscopic and RCM features of a cohort of pigmented BCCs 2 mm in diameter or smaller. We propose to define BCCs of this size as micro-BCCs. The variability of dermoscopic findings observed in our study, combined with the small size of these pigmented lesions, shows the utility of RCM as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for pigmented micro-BCCs.

The current clinical approach to difficult-to-treat basal cell carcinomas

INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumor in adult white populations. If BCCs are not treated for years, if they cause massive destruction of the surrounding tissues, if they are considered unresectable or not eligible for radiotherapy they become progressively 'locally advanced' (laBCC) or metastatic (mBCC). These tumors are defined as 'difficult-to-treat BCC.'

AREAS COVERED

A comprehensive search on PubMed was conducted to identify relevant literature about the several approved and recommended treatment options for the management of difficult-to-treat BCC published from January 2012 to July 2022. Surgical options, radiotherapy, hedgehog inhibitors, immunotherapy, and combined treatments are discussed. The keywords used were basal cell carcinoma; difficult-to-treat BCC; management of difficult-to-treat BCC; surgical therapy; radiotherapy; hedgehog inhibitors; immunotherapy.

EXPERT OPINION

Identifying the best approach to DTT BCCs is one of the main challenges for the dermato-oncologist. The introduction of HHI for the treatment of advanced BCCs has revolutionized the clinical management of DTT BCCs. The immune checkpoint inhibitor cemiplimab has been approved for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic BCC refractory to HHI therapy or in patients intolerant to HHI therapy. Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) play a key role in managing these complex patients.

Dermoscopic features of basal cell carcinoma in skin of color: A retrospective cross-sectional study from Puducherry, South India

BACKGROUND

Dermoscopy is useful in the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, most descriptions of the dermoscopic features of BCCs are in Caucasians (skin types I-III) and there is a paucity of data in dark-skinned Indian patients.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to describe the various dermoscopic features of BCC in dark-skinned patients from South India and correlate these with the histopathologic subtypes.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of biopsy-proven cases of BCC was conducted at a tertiary care center in South India using nonpolarized contact dermoscopy.

RESULTS

Sixty BCCs in 35 patients predominantly of skin phototypes IV or V were studied. These included 32 nodular, 27 superficial and 1 infiltrative type of BCC. The most common dermoscopic features noted were maple leaf-like areas (61.7%), blue-white veils (53.4%), ulceration (48.4%) and short fine telangiectases (46.7%). Ulceration, blue-white veils and arborizing vessels were significantly associated with nodular BCCs, while maple leaf-like areas, red-white structureless areas, multiple small erosions and spoke wheel areas were noted with superficial BCCs.

LIMITATIONS

The limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, the use of only nonpolarized light for examination, the lack of other histopathological variants of BCC as well as the lack of a comparison group.

CONCLUSION

We report a dermoscopic study of BCC in dark-skinned patients from Puducherry, South India. The blue-white veil was observed in half of the patients and was significantly associated with nodular BCCs. The addition of the blue-white veil to the diagnostic criteria for pigmented BCC could improve the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy in Indian patients.

Clinical, Dermoscopic and Histopathological Evaluation of Basal Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Dermoscopy aids in identifying histopathological subtypes and the presence of clinically undetectable pigmentation in basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the dermoscopic features of BCC subtypes and better understand non-classical dermoscopic patterns.

METHODS

Clinical and histopathological findings were recorded by a dermatologist who was blinded to the dermoscopic images. Dermoscopic images were interpreted by two independent dermatologists blinded to the patients' clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. Agreement between the two evaluators and with histopathological findings was evaluated using Cohen's kappa coefficient analysis.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 96 BBC patients with 6 histopathologic variants: nodular (n=48, 50%), infiltrative (n=14, 14.6%), mixed (n=11, 11.5%), superficial (n=10, 10.4%), basosquamous (n=10, 10.4%), and micronodular (n=3, 3.1%). Clinical and dermoscopic diagnosis of pigmented BCC showed high agreement with histopathological diagnosis. The most common dermoscopic findings according to subtype were as follows: nodular BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (85.4%), white structureless areas (75%), and arborizing vessels (70.7%); infiltrative BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (92.9%), white structureless areas (78.6%), arborizing vessels (71.4%); mixed BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (72.7%), white structureless areas (54.4%), and short fine telangiectasias (54.4%); superficial BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (100%), short fine telangiectasias (70%); basosquamous BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (100%), white structureless areas (80%), keratin masses (80%); micronodular BCC: short fine telangiectasias (100%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, arborizing vessels were the most common classical dermoscopic feature of BCC, while shiny white-red structureless background and white structureless areas were the most frequent non-classical dermoscopic features.

Dermoscopy of Linear Basal Cell Carcinomas, a Potential Mimicker of Linear Lesions: a Descriptive Case-series

Introduction

Among the various widely recognized basal cell carcinoma (BCC) clinical patterns, linear basal cell carcinoma (LBCC) is an uncommon morphologic variant of BCC.

Objectives

Describe the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of LBCC.

Methods

Retrospective study including LBCC cases from 5 dermatology centers in North and South America. Biopsy-proven primary BCCs, that presented with at least 3:1 length:width ratio on physical examination, irrespective of tumor subtype or location, were included. Clinical and dermoscopic analysis were performed by 2 experts in dermoscopy.

Results

Eighteen cases of LBCC met our inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Median age at diagnosis was 86.0 years, 10 patients (58.8%) were males. Regarding anatomic location, 11/18 (61.1%) were located on the head and neck, 5/18 (27.7%) cases were found on the trunk, and 2 on lower extremities (11.1%). Under dermoscopy, 15/18 (83.3%) of LBCC were pigmented. All tumors displayed at least one of the BCC-specific dermoscopic criteria the most common being blue-grey globules (72.2%).

Conclusions

Dermoscopy might be useful in the differentiation of LBCC from other diagnoses presenting as linear lesions such as scars, scratches/erosions, and tattoos, among others. Some of these lesions might be confused by naked eye examination alone.

Capillaroscopy in Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma Smaller than 3-mm Diameter: A Report of Four Lesions

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

Advanced basal cell carcinoma: What dermatologists need to know about diagnosis

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human cancer, with approximately 3.6 million cases diagnosed each year. About 2000 deaths annually in the United States are attributed to basal and squamous cell skin cancers. There is a direct link between ultraviolet exposure and the development of BCC, as UV exposure damages DNA and induces mutations in tumor suppressor genes. Aberrations in the hedgehog pathway can also result in BCC, highlighted by the fact that most cases of sporadic BCCs have been found to have mutations in different genes involved in the hedgehog pathway. There are several genetic syndromes that are associated with BCCs, including basal cell nevus syndrome, xeroderma pigmentosum, Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome, Rombo syndrome, and Oley syndrome. Other risk factors include age, male gender, occupational hazards, radiation, and immunosuppression. BCCs are not typically staged but are instead stratified by their risk of recurring or metastasizing. Locally advanced BCCs are those tumors that are not amenable to surgery or radiation therapy.

Basal cell carcinoma: Comprehensive clinical and histopathological aspects, novel imaging tools and therapeutic approaches (Review)

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, involving the skin. It is also part of keratinocyte carcinomas, alongside its squamous counterpart. It has low mortality and extremely low metastatic rates (although when present, it indicates a poor patient prognosis); it also has a high morbidity rate through local destruction and recurrence, particularly when perineural invasion is observed, clinically or histopathologically. BCC development is the result of environmental and patient factors, with genetics and ultraviolet radiation playing major roles. The clinical and histopathological aspects vary according to tumor subtype, being classified as high-risk tumors (nodular, superficial, pigmented and infundibulocystic BCC with adnexal differentiation) and fibroepithelial subtypes, or as high-risk tumors (micronodular, infiltrating, sclerosing/morphoeic and basosquamous subtype or the type with sarcomatoid differentiation). Dermoscopy is now complimented by novel in vivo diagnostic tools (optical coherence tomography, reflectance confocal microscopy, high-resolution ultrasonography, Raman spectroscopy or terahertz pulse imaging), improving the diagnostic accuracy and providing tumor depth and lateral margins without the use of invasive techniques. Novel treatment approaches for the treatment of BCC have recently been investigated with the use of hedgehog pathway inhibitors, such as Vismodegib. These approaches aim for complete resolution, minimal side-effects, high patient satisfaction with the optimal cosmetic results, particularly in key areas, such as the face. The present review article summarizes and discusses the comprehensive clinical and histopathological aspects of BCC, and presents novel imaging tools and therapeutic approaches that have been identified.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Treated with High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy-Early Evaluation of Clinical and Dermoscopic Patterns during Irradiation

Simple Summary

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignancy of the Caucasian population. High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a re-emerging treatment method for various skin cancers. Dermoscopy is an acknowledged and widely used diagnostic tool providing the bridge between histopathology and clinical examination. Current literature lacks data reporting on the dermoscopic observation of basal cell carcinomas undergoing brachytherapy. In this article, the authors describe clinical and dermoscopic patterns of basal cell carcinomas from 23 patients treated with HDR brachytherapy, and analyse the evolution of BCC structures.

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignancy of the Caucasian population. Dermoscopy is an established diagnostic method providing the bridge between clinical and pathological examination. Surface skin high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is an organ sparing treatment method used for non-surgical candidates. This prospective study aimed to observe clinical and dermoscopic features and their evolution in 23 patients with pathologically confirmed BCC that have been treated with HDR brachytherapy. In all cases, custom-made surface moulds were used. HDR brachytherapy was performed with 192Ir, dose 45Gy was delivered to the tumour in nine fractions of 5Gy, three times a week. The evolution of clinical and dermoscopic features was followed up at the beginning of treatment, and on the day of every fraction (t1–t9). Dermoscopic evaluation of neoplastic and non-neoplastic structures was based on current diagnostic criteria according to current literature. Univariate logistic regression showed a decreasing number of clinical and pathological features of basal cell carcinoma with every treatment fraction. The effect was more strongly pronounced for cancer-related dermoscopic structures compared with non-neoplastic features. We used multivariate ordinal logistic regression with random effects to prove that the patients’ age corresponds with the tumour’s response to radiation—which may implicate a better response to treatment among older patients. High dose rate brachytherapy decreases the number of clinical and dermoscopic features typical for basal cell carcinoma. The effect is more pronounced among older patients.

Novel Insights for Patients with Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas and Tumors at High-Risk for Recurrence: Risk Factors, Clinical Morphology, and Dermatoscopy

INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) quite frequently presents as multiple tumors in individual patients. Neoplasm's risk factors for local recurrence have a critical impact on therapeutic management.

OBJECTIVE

To detect risk factors for multiple BCCs (mBCC) in individual patients and to describe clinical and dermatoscopic features of low- and high-risk tumors.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Our study included 225 patients with 304 surgically excised primary BCCs. All patients' medical history and demographics were recorded. Clinical and dermatoscopic images of BCCs were evaluated for predefined criteria and statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Grade II-III sunburns before adulthood (OR 2.146, p = 0.031) and a personal history of BCC (OR 3.403, p < 0.001) were the major predisposing factors for mBCC. Clinically obvious white color (OR 3.168, p < 0.001) and dermatoscopic detection of white shiny lines (OR 2.085, p = 0.025) represented strongly prognostic variables of high-risk BCC. Similarly, extensive clinico-dermatoscopic ulceration (up to 9.2-fold) and nodular morphology (3.6-fold) raise the possibility for high-risk BCC. On the contrary, dermatoscopic evidence of blue-black coloration had a negative prognostic value for high-risk neoplasms (light OR 0.269, p < 0.001/partial OR 0.198, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Profiling of mBCC patients and a thorough knowledge of high-risk tumors' clinico-dermatoscopic morphology could provide physicians with important information towards prevention of this neoplasm.

Clinical and Dermoscopic Factors for the Identification of Aggressive Histologic Subtypes of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Background

Infiltrative basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has a higher risk for post-surgical recurrence as compared to the most common low-aggressive superficial and nodular BCC. Independent diagnostic criteria for infiltrative BCC diagnosis have not been still defined. Improving the pre-surgical recognition of infiltrative BCC might significantly reduce the risk of incomplete excision and recurrence.

Objective

The aim of this study is to define clinical and dermoscopic criteria that can differentiate infiltrative BCC from the most common low-aggressive superficial and nodular BCC.

Methods

Clinical and dermoscopic images of infiltrative, superficial, and nodular BCC were retrospectively retrieved from our database and jointly evaluated by two experienced dermoscopists, blinded for the histologic subtype. Pairwise comparisons between the three histologic subtypes were performed and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed in order to define clinical and dermoscopic factors independently associated with each subtype. To validate our findings, two experienced dermoscopists not previously involved in the study were asked to evaluate clinical and dermoscopic images from an external dataset, guessing the proper BCC subtype between infiltrative, nodular and superficial, before and after being provided with the study results.

Result

A total of 481 histopathologically proven BCCs (51.4% nodular, 33.9% superficial, and 14.8% infiltrative) were included. We found that infiltrative BCC mostly appeared on the head and neck as an amelanotic hypopigmented plaque or papule, displaying ulceration on dermoscopic examination, along with arborizing and fine superficial telangiectasia. Shiny white structures were also frequently observed. Multivariate regression analysis allowed us to define a clinical-dermoscopic profile of infiltrative BCC.

Conclusions

We defined the clinical-dermoscopic profile of infiltrative BCC, allowing to differentiate this variant from superficial and nodular BCC. This will improve pre-surgical recognition of infiltrative forms, reducing the risk for post-surgical recurrence.

Red Dot Basal Cell Carcinoma: Literature Review of a Unique Clinical Subtype of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Red dot basal cell carcinoma is a distinctive clinical subtype of basal cell carcinoma. It has been reported in eight individuals with a male to female ratio of 1:1; and the patients' ages ranged from 50 to 74 years. All patients had prior history of actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinoma. In addition, some patients also had prior squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and/or dysplastic nevus. The tumor was usually of recent onset, asymptomatic, and on sun-exposed skin. It was most commonly located on the nose (five patients); other sites were the upper lip, the mid back, or thigh-each in one patient. The red dot basal cell carcinoma was solitary and small-usually 4 mm or less in diameter. It typically presented as a red macule or papule; however, it sometimes appeared as a flesh-colored or pink to light-red papule with a bright-red central area. Microscopic features showed basaloid tumor cells (arranged as either nodular aggregates or superficial buds or both). In the central portion of the lesion, there was a proliferation of erythrocyte-containing vascular spaces between the epidermis and the neoplasm. The basal cell carcinoma pathology subtype was either nodular and superficial (three patients), nodular (two patients), or superficial (one patient). The clinical differential diagnosis of red dot basal cell carcinoma included not only benign vascular lesions (such as hemangioma and telangiectasia) but also inflammatory conditions and adnexal tumors. Other basaloid cell neoplasms were in the pathologic differential diagnosis. The pathogenesis of red dot basal cell carcinoma is similar to that of other basal cell carcinoma clinical subtypes. Mohs surgery is the treatment of choice for red dot basal cell carcinomas. Red dot basal cell carcinoma has two categories of biologic behavior based on the ratio of the postoperative wound size as compared with the size of the preoperative tumor: nonaggressive (for which the ratio was 5:1 or less for three patients) and aggressive (for which the ratio was greater than 12:1 for three patients). There was no recurrence of the red dot basal cell carcinoma after treatment. In conclusion, the incidence of red dot basal cell carcinoma-a unique morphologic variant of basal cell carcinoma-may be higher than suggested by the number of reported patients with this basal cell carcinoma subtype.

Clinical and dermoscopic features of Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus: case series with an emphasis on hypopigmented to pink lines intersecting at acute angles

Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus (FEP) is a subtype of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that can clinically resemble intradermal nevi (IDN) and fibromas. We performed a retrospective review of consecutively biopsied lesions confirmed to be FEP on histopathology diagnosed from January 1, 2008 to April 8, 2019. Clinical (n = 48), contact non-polarized dermoscopy (NPD) (n = 44), and contact polarized dermoscopy (PD) (n = 22) images from 36 patients were reviewed. Mean age was 64.5 years (SD 15.1 years, range 24-86 years) at diagnosis of first FEP lesion. Most lesions were located on the torso (n = 28, 58.3%), followed by the lower extremity (n = 9, 18.8%). The most common differential diagnoses at the time of biopsy included BCC (n = 40) and nevus (other than IDN, n = 5). Clinically, FEP were pink (95.8%), scaly (66.7%) papules (77.1%) displaying disrupted skin markings (62.5%) and absence of hair follicles (87.5%). NPD revealed serpentine (97.7%), dotted (81.8%), or polymorphous vessels (86.4%), and hypopigmented to pink lines intersecting at acute angles (HPLA) (52.3%). PD demonstrated serpentine (95.5%), dotted (86.4%), or polymorphous vessels (81.8%), shiny white lines (50.0%), and HPLA (59.1%). Classic features of BCC such as arborizing vessels (n = 2), ulceration (n = 1), shiny white blotches and strands (n = 1), blue-gray ovoid nest (n = 1), and leaf-like areas (n = 1) were uncommon. FEP often presents as scaly, erythematous papules with disrupted skin markings and absence of hair follicles. Dermoscopy reveals polymorphous vessels with shiny white lines and HPLA.