Dermoscopy Patterns and Histopathological Findings in Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma-Study on 68 Cases.

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, with an increasing incidence in Europe particularly in young individuals. Nodular basal cell carcinoma is the most common subtype and accounts for approximately 57.6-78.7% of all BCCs. We performed an observational, morphological study which involved 68 patients with the diagnosis of nodular BCC. The localization and diameter of the lesion, histological subtype of the lesion, dermoscopic patterns, Fitzpatrick skin type and sex of each patient were recorded. The most common dermoscopic pattern seen in nodular BCCs was irregular vascularity and, arborizing vessels (>0.2mm in diameter) being the most frequent irregular vascular pattern. The second most common dermoscopic feature in patients with nodular BCCs was translucency. The most common dermoscopic features of the 12 pigmented BCCs were: pigmented islands (blue-gray globules and blue-gray ovoid nests); the pigmented distribution pattern (with (maple leaf-like structures and spoke wheel-like areas); arborizing vessels and white streaks/white areas. The histopathological analysis of the 68 BCCs revealed that the nodular type was the most frequently identified for 71.7% of cases The differential diagnosis between basal cell carcinoma and other skin lesions and inflammatory skin diseases is very important, since serious morbidity may result from an undiagnosed tumor.