Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma Research Articles

Dermoscopic features of pigmented basal cell carcinoma according to size.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common skin cancer in humans, requires early detection. Dermoscopy enhances diagnostic accuracy through a noninvasive approach. Pigmented BCC (pBCC) is characterized by distinctive dermoscopic features, including the presence of pigmented globules or nests. While dermoscopic features of large pBCC (size >6 mm) have been extensively studied, limited data are available on small pBCC (size ≤6 mm) and its relationship with tumor progression. Dermoscopic images of histologically proven pBCCs were collected between 2014 and 2022 at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Each image was analyzed for patterns of pigmentation, vasculature, and epidermal and dermal structures. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the differences according to the size and the trend during tumor progression. In total, 135 pBCCs (48 small and 87 large) were included. Pigment structures were present in all cases. Short fine telangiectasia and small erosions constituted over 85% of the cases, showing no significant distinction between small and large pBCCs, nor any specific pattern correlating with tumor enlargement. The number of arborizing vessels, ulcerations, and shiny white structures showed an increasing trend associated with size progression. Arborizing vessels appeared when tumor size exceeded 6 mm. This study provides a dynamic interpretation of the dermoscopic features of pBCC according to size enlargement. Short fine telangiectasia and small erosions are highly important features for the early diagnosis of small pBCCs. Arborizing vessels, ulceration, and shiny white structures are more frequent in large pBCCs, and they increase in association with tumor progression.

Pigmented basal cell carcinoma in an old man treated with surgical excision and flap reconstruction: a case report

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) stands as the prevailing form of malignancy, and its prevalence is on the rise. While BCC carries a minimal risk of mortality, it can induce notable morbidity, chiefly due to localized damage. The incidence of BCC increases significantly after the age of 40 years, especially in women who are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are a variety of surgical and non-surgical treatments for BCC. In general, surgical methods are used more frequently because of their higher cure rates. We are reporting a case of pigmented basal cell carcinoma in an old Asian man who was treated with surgical excision with wound reconstruction using flap surgery. Case Report: A 70-year-old man sought consultation at the Dermatology and Venereology outpatient clinic of Dr. Soetomo Regional Public Hospital. His main complaint was a wound on his forehead from two years ago. Initially, it appeared as a small lump with skin color. Over time, the lump got bigger and then turned into a wound that got wider. He also felt pain and itchy on the wound. For the past year, the wound had become easily bleeding. Dermatological examination revealed an ulcer with a clean base, not sharply marginated, asymmetry, and a size of 1,8 x 1,6 cm, with a rolled-up margin and an elevated edge. There was a translucent hyperpigmented nodule on the edges and a sign of bleeding in the center of the ulcer. A dermoscopy examination showed a blue-gray ovoid nest, shiny white structureless area, arborizing vessels, and ulceration. Histopathological results from both biopsies showed the proliferation of anaplastic basal cells was a monotonous rounded nucleus, coarse chromatin, several prominent nuclei, and narrow cytoplasm to moderately that partially contained melanin. The patient was diagnosed with Pigmented BCC. The treatment plan was to use surgical excision with advancement flap reconstruction. Postoperative lesions showed improvement and healed after three weeks post-surgery. Conclusion: The management of BCC is determined based on the anatomical location and histological features. Widely used therapeutic approaches such as standard excision surgery or other invasive methods are significant therapeutic options.

Pigmented vulvar basal cell carcinoma in a Hispanic patient treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.

Pigmented vulvar basal cell carcinoma in a Hispanic patient treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.

Photodynamic Therapy in Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma-A Review.

This review summarizes the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of the pigmented subtype of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) based on the current literature. PDT is a light-activated treatment, non-invasive, that selectively destroys tumor cells and tissues via the interaction of a photosensitizer, light, and molecular oxygen. It can induce cancer cell death through direct tumor vascular damage or via the induction of immune response. However, human skin is also an absorption and scattering medium since it contains hemoglobin and melanin that act as chromophores. Eumelanin can be considered a light-absorber and an intracellular antioxidant that can neutralize PDT-induced ROS and, therefore, decrease PDT success. Various factors, including tumor depth, the degree of pigmentation in malignant cells, and the individual's skin phototype, can impact the outcome of this intricate biochemical process. It has been widely recognized that PDT exhibits limited efficacy in the treatment of pigmented lesions. However, new combination techniques such as curettage or debulking before PDT show promising results in the treatment of pigmented BCC.

A rare case of pigmented nodular basal cell carcinoma of the leg

A rare case of pigmented nodular basal cell carcinoma of the leg

Multiple aggregated yellow-white globules are a major dermoscopic sign of basal cell carcinoma regardless of their histological subtype.

Multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules) have been recently described as dermoscopic structures of high specificity associated with high-risk non-pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC). To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MAY globules in a cohort of pigmented and non-pigmented BCC of all histological types. This was a retrospective case-control study. Dermoscopic and clinical images were all histopathologically confirmed as BCCs of patients seen consecutively at dermatology consultation. Control cases were benign or malignant tumours randomly selected from the database of 8,250 patients. A total of 389 BCCs were included. MAY globules were present in 192 (49%) cases in the BCC group and in only 25 cases in the control group (6,4%). The odds ratio for the diagnosis of BCC was 14.2 (95%CI: 9.62-20.95]). The presence of MAY globules was significant in three histological subtypes, including superficial BCCs. This study shows that MAY globules are a major dermoscopic sign for the diagnosis of BCC, regardless of their histological subtype and their pigmentation.

Characteristics of Hispanic patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery: a review of the literature.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer worldwide and is frequently treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS); however, data regarding characteristics of Hispanic patients undergoing MMS for NMSC are limited. To review the characteristics of Hispanic patients undergoing MMS for NMSC in the United States. A systematic review of PubMed articles from inception through September 2022 providing data for Hispanic patients undergoing MMS for NMSC was completed. Overall, six publications met inclusion criteria and provided data for 2,856 Hispanic patients that underwent MMS for 2,955 NMSCs. Results demonstrate 60% of Hispanic patients were male, and the majority of NMSCs were basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (71%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (21%). Additionally, a larger percentage of pigmented BCC was found in the Hispanic population. While there is conflicting data in the literature, Hispanic patients may also have larger MMS defects when controlled for additional variables. Finally, over 64% of NMSCs in Hispanic patients were in high-risk locations. Literature regarding the characteristics of Hispanic patients undergoing MMS for NMSC demonstrates most patients were male, BCC was the most common tumor subtype, and the majority of NMSCs were in high-risk locations.

Proposal of a new dermoscopic criterion for pigmented basal cell carcinoma: a multicentre retrospective study.

Dermoscopy is widely used for the diagnosis of skin cancer and it increases the accuracy of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) detection. BCC dermoscopic criteria have been updated and divided into vascular, pigment-related, and non-vascular/non-pigment-related. Our multicenter retrospective study tested a new dermoscopic pigment-related characteristic to detect pigmented BCC (pBCC) [brown homogeneous blotches (BHB)]. Cases of pBCC were collected from the databases of IDI-IRCCS of Rome and from three Italian private dermatology centers. BHB are confined patches of brown uniform pigmentation without dermoscopic features (net, fat fingers, etc.) or other internal dermoscopic structures, except for occasional vascular ones like arborizing vessels or globules/dots. Melanocytic and non-melanocytic controls were used. We reviewed photos of 270 pigmented lesions (female 145; 51.8%), including 90 histopathologically verified pBCC and 180 control cases (90 melanocytic and 90 non-melanocytic). BHB were found in 61 cases of 90 pBCC patients. The results showed a 67.8 sensitivity, 93.3 specificity, 83.6 positive and 85.3 negative predictive values, posLR 10.2, negLR 0.3, odds ratio 29.4, p<0.001. Our multicentre retrospective analysis suggested the BHB may be a novel dermoscopic pBCC diagnosis criterion.

Clinical, Dermoscopic and Histopathological Evaluation of Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Dermoscopy aids in identifying histopathological subtypes and the presence of clinically undetectable pigmentation in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). To investigate the dermoscopic features of BCC subtypes and better understand non-classical dermoscopic patterns. Clinical and histopathological findings were recorded by a dermatologist who was blinded to the dermoscopic images. Dermoscopic images were interpreted by two independent dermatologists blinded to the patients' clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. Agreement between the two evaluators and with histopathological findings was evaluated using Cohen's kappa coefficient analysis. The study included a total of 96 BBC patients with 6 histopathologic variants: nodular (n=48, 50%), infiltrative (n=14, 14.6%), mixed (n=11, 11.5%), superficial (n=10, 10.4%), basosquamous (n=10, 10.4%), and micronodular (n=3, 3.1%). Clinical and dermoscopic diagnosis of pigmented BCC showed high agreement with histopathological diagnosis. The most common dermoscopic findings according to subtype were as follows: nodular BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (85.4%), white structureless areas (75%), and arborizing vessels (70.7%); infiltrative BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (92.9%), white structureless areas (78.6%), arborizing vessels (71.4%); mixed BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (72.7%), white structureless areas (54.4%), and short fine telangiectasias (54.4%); superficial BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (100%), short fine telangiectasias (70%); basosquamous BCC: shiny white-red structureless background (100%), white structureless areas (80%), keratin masses (80%); micronodular BCC: short fine telangiectasias (100%). In this study, arborizing vessels were the most common classical dermoscopic feature of BCC, while shiny white-red structureless background and white structureless areas were the most frequent non-classical dermoscopic features.

Dermoscopic Findings of Clonal Seborrheic Keratosis and Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Skin of Color Patients - A Comparison.

Dermoscopic Findings of Clonal Seborrheic Keratosis and Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Skin of Color Patients - A Comparison.

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma – Adenoid Cystic Pattern: A Rare Case Report

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumour of skin, comprising 80% of non-melanoma cancers. Intermittent exposure to ultraviolet radiation is an important risk factor. Pigmented basal cell carcinoma is a clinical and histological variant of basal cell carcinoma that exhibits increased pigmentation. It is a very rare variant, although its frequency can reach upto 6% of total basal cell carcinomas. Herein, we are reporting a case of pigmented basal cell carcinoma of nose which is a rare presentation.

Vascular Diameter as Clue for the Diagnosis of Clinically and/or Dermoscopically Equivocal Pigmented and Non-Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinomas and Nodular Melanomas.

Background and objectives: Dermoscopy is a useful tool for the early and non-invasive diagnosis of skin malignancies. Besides many progresses, heavily pigmented and amelanotic skin tumors remain still a challenge. We aimed to investigate by dermoscopy if distinctive morphologic characteristics of vessels may help the diagnosis of equivocal nodular lesions. Materials and Methods: A collage of 16 challenging clinical and dermoscopic images of 8 amelanotic and 8 heavily pigmented nodular melanomas and basal cell carcinomas was sent via e-mail to 8 expert dermoscopists. Results: Dermoscopy improved diagnostic accuracy in 40 cases. Vessels were considered the best clue in 71 cases. Focusing on the diameter of vessels improved diagnosis in 5 cases. Conclusions: vascular diameter in addition to morphology and arrangement may be a useful dermoscopic clue for the differential diagnosis of clinically equivocal nodular malignant tumors.

Capillaroscopy in Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma Smaller than 3-mm Diameter: A Report of Four Lesions.

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

The effect of dermoscopy in assisting on defining surgical margins of basal cell carcinoma.

To investigate the diagnostic value of dermoscopy in defining the tumor margin of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for the appropriate surgical margin. A total of 107 BCC patients were enrolled for this study. The tumor boundaries were observed by naked eye and dermoscope respectively, and 5 mm outward was used as surgical margin according to the dermoscopy-defined margin. Pathological examinations were performed at 2 mm intervals in the direction previously marked and the effect was assessed accordingly. There were still 16.8% of patients whose visual margin was insufficient to the dermoscopy-detected margin. With 2 mm excision margin from the dermoscopy-guided tumor margin, excision range in 12 patients (11.2%) proved to be inadequate, but only 18 surgical margins (4.2%) in the whole 428 excision margin specimens proved to be tumor-positive. While with 4 mm margin, residual lesion was observed in 2 (0.5%) of 107 BCC patients, and positive margin was found in 2 (0.3%) of 428 margin specimen. There has been no recurrence in our study so far. Dermoscopy is superior to visual inspection for defining BCC tumor margin. Under preoperative dermoscopy detection, a 4 mm excision margin of BCC can achieve a radical resection rate of 98.1%, and 92.3% for a 2 mm excision margin of pigmented BCC.

Periocular Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinomas: Clinicopathologic Features and Mutational Profile.

Pigmented basal cell carcinomas (PBCC) is an uncommon variant of basal cell carcinoma of the periocular region with limited information in the literature. We highlight the clinicopathological profile and somatic mutations in periocular PBCC. The clinicopathological features and somatic mutations in patients with periocular PBCC were examined and compared with periocular non-PBCC reported in the literature. Next-generation sequencing panel analysis for the excised tumors identified somatic mutations. In a total of 31 patients, PBCC was common in females (54%; p = 0.03); as a unilateral lower eyelid (n = 22; 71%), solitary mass (n = 30; 98%). Pathologic subtypes were variable. Most were nodular or mixed variants (n = 23; 74%). During the follow up (2.5-4.5 years), 1 patient (3.5%) had a recurrence. The clinical and pathologic features of PBCC were similar to those reported in nonperiocular locations. Somatic mutations detected in 25/31 tumors. Variants in 50/161 genes in the panel were noted. PTCH1 (14/31), TERT (12/31), and SMO (7/31) variants were common. Fifteen patients had novel drivers, including POLE, FANCD2, and CREBBP. SMO mutations were significantly more common in females (7/7), lower eyelid (5/7), and TERT mutations were more common in nodular subtype (10/12). In this large cohort of a relatively uncommon variant of BCC, the clinicopathological features and tumor behavior of PBCC was similar to periocular non-PBCC. The somatic mutation spectrum of PBCC resembles that reported in nonperiocular cutaneous BCC with novel drivers identified. We identified several potential actionable mutations that could be targeted with molecular therapy.

Research Techniques Made Simple: Emerging Imaging Technologies for Noninvasive Optical Biopsy of Human Skin

Over the past few years, high-resolution optical imaging technologies such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), and multiphoton microscopy (MPM) have advanced significantly as new methodologies for clinical research and for real-time detection, diagnosis, and therapy monitoring of skin diseases. Implementation of these technologies into clinical research and practice requires clinicians to have an understanding of their capabilities, benefits, and limitations. This concise review provides insights on the application of OCT, RCM, and MPM for clinical skin imaging through images acquired invivo from the same lesions. The presented data are limited to pigmented lesions and basal cell carcinoma.

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma on Permanent Tattoo of the Face: Complication that all Dermatologists need to be Vigilant

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human cancer worldwide. It‘s an epithelial cancer developed from epidermal tissue, happening most frequently from novo, localized only to the skin, with local malignancy. His prognosis is relatively good but premature management, in effect surgical excision is necessary, given its significant potential tissue destruction leading to high morbidity. Numerous clinical and histological types are reported, specifically tattooed or pigmented basal cell carcinoma which poses the differential diagnosis problem with melanoma. Here we report a case of Basal cell carcinoma of the face, inadequately treated for long time, noticed at an advanced stage.

Expression of Melan-A (MART-1) in Various Pigmented Melanocytic Nevi and Close Mimickers

Introduction: Melanocytic nevi are neoplasms resulting from the proliferation of melanocytes. Diagnosis of melanocytic tumours can be tricky, considering two factors,to diagnose origin and determination of its benign or malignant nature. Visualisation of melanin or other pigments are non specific with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E) staining and specific with Melan-A Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Intensity and pattern of these reactions shows marked variability in different melanocytic lesions. Aim: To study the intensity and pattern of Melan-A expression in various pigmented melanocytic nevi and to understand its utility to differentiate close mimickers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 50 lesions (45 cases and 5 controls) was conducted in the Department of Pathology of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Medical College (tertiary hospital), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, between September 2020 to October 2021. The skin biopsies received were fixed in formalin and paraffin embedded. Sections were stained with H&amp;E and Melan-A IHC marker, using A103 antibody and a high temperature antigen retrieval was performed. Pattern and intensity of Melan-A expression were studied and its evaluation was done with normal skin (control). Results: Melan-A showed varied intensity (+ weak; ++ moderate; +++ strong), pattern (patchy, diffuse), distribution and on various pigmented melanocytic lesions and mimickers were analysed. Dermal nevi (18) showed +++ diffuse pattern in dermis and two cases showed ++ moderate and patchy staining. Five cases of Compound nevi showed ++ intensity, diffuse pattern in Dermoepidermal Junction (DEJ) and dermis, Deep penetrating nevi (in one case) +++ intensity and diffuse pattern in DEJ, Dermis. Two cases of pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) showed + intensity and no definitive pattern in dermis. Four cases in fibrohistiocytic lesions and Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour (MPNST) shows negative Melan-A. In control melanocytes show dendritic pattern of staining and melanophages were negative. Conclusion: Melan-A is specific melanocytic marker as it stains only melanocytic lineage and no other cell types in background thus it is a marker of histogenesis instead of malignancy indicator. It highlights important architectural features and confirms the origin of lesions thus aiding the pathologist towards accurate diagnosis and differentiates from close mimickers.

A retrospective analysis of pigmented basal cell carcinoma in a tertiary care center

A retrospective analysis of pigmented basal cell carcinoma in a tertiary care center

Non-invasive characterization of different types of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) using vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT): Can early lesions as small as 0.05 mm be identified by VOCT?

Vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT) has been used to non-invasively measure the resonant frequency and elastic modulus of different types of BCCs to compare the physical biomarker characteristics of each of these lesions. The results suggest that in very small lesions (about 0.05 mm in diameter) new 80Hz and 130Hz resonant frequency peaks are seen not present in normal skin or in healing wounds. In all other BCCs, new 80Hz, 130Hz and 260Hz resonant frequency peaks are found like those found in other carcinomas including SCC and melanoma. Small BCCS are characterized by new 80Hz and 130Hz in the absence of a significant 50Hz peak unlike actinic keratoses that are characterized by 50Hz, 80Hz and 130Hz peaks. In the absence of the 260Hz peak, small BCCs appear to be a precursor to larger BCCs. Pigmented BCCs exhibit a larger ratio of the 50Hz/80Hz peaks compared to the other BCC types in addition to peaks at 130Hz and 260Hz suggesting that benign melanocyte lesions contribute to the 50 Hz peak. Further studies are needed to understand the factors that drive differences in shape and invasiveness of cancerous BCCs. While all BCCs were found to contain new cell and blood vessel resonant frequencies that coincide with fibrotic tissue encapsulating the tumors in the papillary dermis, other factors must drive differences in the shape and invasiveness of the different BCCs. It is hypothesized that the new cells and blood vessels formed lead to the deposition of fibrous tissue in all BCCs and is partially driven by an epithelial-mesenchyme transition. It is concluded that fibrotic tissue is found encapsulating all cancerous BCCs and that this layer of tissue may limit invasiveness and metastatic behavior of this tumor type. In general, tumor shape and invasiveness are likely influenced by the exact cellular mutations in each lesion type and the extent of UV light damage experienced by the surrounding extracellular matrix.