Basal cell carcinoma in children

Abstract

Clinical and pathologic features of 22 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in children, unassociated with xeroderma pigmentosum, nevus sebaceus, or nevoid BCC syndrome, and a review of the 25 cases previously cited in the literature are given. In our series, the patients ranged from 7 to 15 years in age, and each had a single lesion. Histologic features resembled those seen in BCC occurring in older age groups, except that fibroblastic proliferation of the surrounding stroma was prominent in many lesions. Most tumors were comprised of combinations of solid, adenoid, and cystic patterns. There were two fibrosing BCCs and one metatypical BCC. Isolated BCC in children can be distinguished from nevoid BCC only by careful clinical examination and follow-up. Trichoepithelioma may be misdiagnosed histologically as BCC.