Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in white people, with a continuous increase worldwide. Dermoscopy, a non-invasive technique, allows early diagnosis based on the presence of typical vascular structures, pigmented structures, and ulceration and the absence of specific melanocytic structures. Moreover, dermoscopy is useful in basal cell carcinoma management, enabling the differentiation between multiple histological subtypes, between pigmented and non-pigmented variants and allowing a more accurate assessment of surgical margins. After non-ablative therapies, dermoscopy allows the accurate detection of residual disease. The purpose of this review is to highlight the dermoscopic features encountered in basal cell carcinoma and to outline the role of dermoscopy for diagnosis and therapeutic response in this cancer.

Highlights

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common cancers in white people, with an incidence that increases continuously worldwide (1)

  • While imiquimod and PDT are first line options for superficial BCC, surgical excision is the treatment of choice for nodular BCC

  • The aim of the present review is to describe the role of dermoscopy in the assessment of basal cell carcinoma, from diagnosis to therapeutic response

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Summary

Frontiers in Medicine

Basal cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in white people, with a continuous increase worldwide. Dermoscopy, a non-invasive technique, allows early diagnosis based on the presence of typical vascular structures, pigmented structures, and ulceration and the absence of specific melanocytic structures. Dermoscopy is useful in basal cell carcinoma management, enabling the differentiation between multiple histological subtypes, between pigmented and non-pigmented variants and allowing a more accurate assessment of surgical margins. After non-ablative therapies, dermoscopy allows the accurate detection of residual disease. The purpose of this review is to highlight the dermoscopic features encountered in basal cell carcinoma and to outline the role of dermoscopy for diagnosis and therapeutic response in this cancer

INTRODUCTION
DERMOSCOPY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
Vascular Dermoscopic Structures
DERMOSCOPY FOR PREDICTING THE HISTOLOGICAL SUBTYPE
Other Dermoscopic Structures
Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
Infiltrative Basal Cell Carcinoma
Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus
Basosquamous Carcinoma
Dermoscopy for Choosing the Apropriate Therapy
Dermoscopy for Margin Detection in Surgical Excision
Findings
CONCLUSIONS
Full Text
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