CHARACTERIZATION OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMAS IN THE ORAL PATHOLOGY SERVICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TALCA. A CASE SERIES

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasm that affects the skin of the maxillofacial territory. Histopathologic records of the Pathology and Oral Medicine Service of the University of Talca show an increase in the frequency of BCC from 2007, with 6 cases registered to date. Average age of patients is 56 years, mostly women, with predominance of an ulcerated clinical presentation without healing. A total of 5 of the cases affected high-risk anatomic areas. All cases were submitted to excisional biopsy. Microscopically, 100% presented invasion to the connective tissue with well-differentiated cells, 50% of the cases contained melanin pigmentation, and only 1 showed solar elastosis. A total of 50% of the cases had a different presumptive diagnosis at clinical examination; however, 100% were confirmed as BCC by histopathologic analysis. To date, patients maintained at least a 2-year control period with no recurrence.