Sala ACA, Crespo ACF, Stelini RF, Leite O, Moraes AM, Velho PENF, Souza EM, Cintra ML. Chronic Venous Insufficiency as a Predisposing Factor for Basal Cell Carcinoma on Legs.
Ann Vasc Surg 2020;
68:185-191. [PMID:
32422291 DOI:
10.1016/j.avsg.2020.04.053]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The main risk factor associated with basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) is believed to be exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In the case of lower limb BCC, the frequency is higher in women, possibly because of greater exposure of the leg to UVR. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), also more common in women, may have some association with leg BCCs.
METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the histopathological features of leg BCCs removed between 1993 and 2017 in a tertiary referral center. The patients' clinical data were obtained from medical records, considering, in particular, CVI.
RESULTS
We selected 149 patients with leg BCCs, predominately occurring in elderly Caucasian women. Of those, 71 had a clinical diagnosis of CVI in whom the clinical tumor size and frequency of recurrences were significantly higher than patients without CVI. There was an association between clinical diagnosis of CVI and histological findings of (1) follicular induction in epidermis and (2) distal sweat duct hyperplasia.
CONCLUSIONS
CVI, besides the already known UVR exposure, is probably associated with leg BCCs and may determine a worse BCC course.
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