Clinical, Dermoscopic and Histopathological Evaluation of Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes: A Retrospective Analysis (original) (raw)

Interobserver Agreement on Dermoscopic Features of Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma

Dermatologic Surgery, 2002

background. A dermoscopic method based on the absence of a pigment network and the presence of at least one of six positive features has been described for diagnosis of pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC). objective. To evaluate the observers' global agreement and interobserver agreement on each dermoscopic parameter of the method recently proposed. methods. Dermoscopic images of 56 pigmented BCCs were examined by five observers with different degrees of experience in dermoscopy. results. An overall full agreement was reached for the absence of pigment network (k ϭ 1). Very good agreement was detected for the presence of spoke wheel areas (k ϭ 0.85) and arborizing vessels (k ϭ 0.72), and good agreement was shown for ulceration (k ϭ 0.49) and multiple blue-gray globules (k ϭ 0.41). No agreement was identified on large blue-gray ovoid nests (k ϭ 0.28) and leaflike areas (k ϭ 0.26). conclusion. We confirm the reproducibility of the method and show that ulceration, spoke wheel areas, and arborizing telangiectases represent the most robust positive parameters.

Correlation between the dermatoscopic and histopathological features of pigmented basal cell carcinoma

Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2010

Background Dermatoscopy has a great value in the diagnosis of pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is a clinical variant of BCC. The precise definitions of histopathological correlates of dermatoscopic features observed in pigmented BCC have not been established yet.Objective The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between the dermatoscopic features of pigmented BCC and their histopathological counterparts to provide clear histopathological definitions of each dermatoscopic feature.Methods In this case series that comprised a methodological component, after the orientation of dermatoscopic features was determined by placing sutures in the lesions, the histopathological counterparts of each were examined and definitions were made accordingly.Results Although the most common histopathological subtype of BCC is the solid type, the most common histopathological subtype observed in the pigmented BCC lesions in the present study was the superficial multifocal type (72.5%). Blue-whitish veil was observed in 57.5% (n = 23) of the lesions, a percentage higher than that reported in the literature. In addition to confirming the previously histopathologically defined dermatoscopic features of pigmented BCC, we identified three histopathologically undefined features of pigmented BCC that are spoke-wheel areas, large blue-grey ovoid nests and multiple blue-grey globules.Conclusion Dermatoscopy facilitates prediction of the corresponding histopathological findings in pigmented BCC, based on specific dermatoscopic features.

Dermoscopic features in the diagnosis of different types of basal cell carcinoma: a prospective analysis

Hippokratia, 2012

There is limited data on dermoscopic features of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). We evaluated the presence of dermoscopic features in superficial (sBCCs), nodular (nBCCs), pigmented and non-pigmented BCCs in order to evaluate the role of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of different subtypes of BCCs. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the presence of dermoscopic features in superficial, nodular, pigmented and non - pigmented BCCs. One hundred thirty eight lesions (42 superficial, 96 nodular, 102 pigmented and 36 non-pigmented) were assessed by dermoscopy. The most significant features in all categories, were a scattered vascular pattern, featureless areas, atypical red vessels, arborizing vessels, comma vessels, background of white-red structureless areas and telangiectasias. Haemorrhage-ulceration, hypopigmented areas and blue-grey ovoid nests were all more likely to be observed in sBCCs, than in nBCCs (p < 0.0001). Arborizing and atypical red vessels in addition to feature...

Dermoscopic variability of basal cell carcinoma according to clinical type and anatomic location

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015

Background Correctly diagnosing basal cell carcinoma (BCC) clinical type is crucial for the therapeutic management. A systematic description of the variability of all reported BCC dermoscopic features according to clinical type and anatomic location is lacking. Objectives To describe the dermoscopic variability of BCC according to clinical type and anatomic location and to test the hypothesis of a clinical/dermoscopic continuum across superficial BCCs (sBCCs) with increasing palpability. Methods Clinical/dermoscopic images of nodular BCCs (nBCCs) and sBCCs with different degrees of palpability were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of dermoscopic criteria including degree of pigmentation, BCC-associated patterns, diverse vascular patterns, melanocytic patterns and polarized light patterns. Results We examined 501 histopathologically proven BCCs (66.9% sBCCs; 33.1% nBCCs), mainly located on trunk (46.7%; mostly sBCCs) and face (30.5%; mostly nBCCs). Short fine telangiectasias, leaf-like areas, spoke-wheel areas, small erosions and concentric structures were significantly associated with sBCC, whereas arborizing telangiectasias, blue-white veil-like structures, white shiny areas and rainbow pattern with nBCCs. Short fine telangiectasia, spoke-wheel areas and small erosions were independently associated with trunk location, whereas arborizing telangiectasias with facial location. Scalp BCCs had significantly more pigmentation and melanocytic criteria than BCCs located elsewhere. Multiple clinical/dermoscopic parameters displayed a significant linear trend across increasingly palpable sBCCs. Conclusions Particular dermoscopic criteria are independently associated with clinical type and anatomic location of BCC. Heavily pigmented, scalp BCCs are the most challenging to diagnose. A clinical/dermoscopic continuum across increasingly palpable sBCCs was detected and could be potentially important for the non-surgical management of the disease.

Dermoscopy uncovers clinically undetectable pigmentation in basal cell carcinoma

British Journal of Dermatology, 2014

Background The presence of pigmentation might influence the management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), with pigmented BCC responding poorly to certain treatments. Clinical studies report on a generally lower frequency of pigmentation compared with dermoscopic and histopathological studies, but the true frequency at which pigmentation occurs in clinically nonpigmented BCC has not been studied in detail. Objectives To compare the clinical and dermoscopic frequency of pigmentation in a series of histopathologically diagnosed BCCs and to correlate it with patient demographics, tumour location and histopathological subtype. Methods Clinical and dermoscopic images of histopathologically confirmed BCCs were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of pigmentation. Dichotomous outcome variables were clinically pigmented and dermoscopically pigmented BCC. All separate dermoscopic variables were included in the analysis. Differences in proportions were evaluated using Pearson's chi-square test. Results Five hundred and seven BCCs from 507 patients with a mean age of 67 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1Á35 : 1 were included in the study. Clinically, 295 tumours were judged as nonpigmented. Of those, dermoscopy disclosed pigmentation in 88 cases (29Á8%). Overall, blue-grey ovoid nests were the most frequent dermoscopic pattern (n = 184, 36Á3%), followed by multiple blue-grey dots/globules (n = 147, 29%) and maple-leaf-like areas (n = 70, 13Á8%). Superficial tumours exhibited mainly maple-leaf-like areas, spoke-wheel areas and brown dots, whereas pigmented nodular BCC was most frequently typified by the presence of blue-grey ovoid nests. Conclusions Dermoscopy allows detection of pigmentation in about 30% of clinically nonpigmented BCCs, providing additional information that may aid the clinical choice of adequate treatment modalities.

Dermoscopic Clues of Histopathologically Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes

Medicina

Background: The group of histopathologically aggressive BCC subtypes includes morpheaform, micronodular, infiltrative and metatypical BCC. Since these tumors are at increased risk of recurring, micrographically controlled surgery is considered the best therapeutic option. Although dermoscopy significantly improves the clinical recognition of BCC, scarce evidence exists on their dermoscopic criteria. Aim: To investigate the dermoscopic characteristics of histopathologically aggressive BCC subtypes. Materials and Methods: Dermoscopic images of morpheaform, micronodular, infiltrative and metatypical BCC were analyzed for the presence of predefined variables. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed. Results: Most histopathologically aggressive BCCs were located on the head and neck. Infiltrative was the most common subtype. All subtypes, except micronodular BCC, rarely displayed dermoscopic pigmentation. The most frequent dermoscopic features of infiltrative BCC were arbori...

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

PubMed, 2019

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.

A multicentric study on dermoscopic patterns and clinical–dermoscopic–histological correlates of basal cell carcinoma in Indian skin

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology

Background Literature on the dermoscopic patterns of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in India is limited. Aim To describe the dermoscopic pattern and dermoscopic–histopathological correlation in a large cohort of patients with BCC from India, with a particular focus on skin of colour (SOC). Methods This retrospective study was conducted under the aegis of the Dermatoscopy Society of India. Clinical details were collected, and two lead authors independently analysed dermoscopic images of BCC for a predefined set of characteristics. Histopathological slides/blocks were reviewed, and dermoscopic–histological correlation attempted. Results In total, 143 patients with BCC and skin phototypes IV–VI were included. The mean largest BCC diameter was 3.10 ± 3.68 cm and there was a significant but weak association between duration and largest dimension of the lesion (Spearman ρ = 0.33, P < 0.01). Nearly half of the cases were diagnosed with pigmented BCC and the most common histological subtype ...

Dermoscopy in the diagnosis and management of basal cell carcinoma

Future oncology (London, England), 2015

The dermoscopic findings of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were first described more than a decade ago and the list of BCC-related criteria has been several times updated and enriched. Today, the dermatoscope is considered the key tool for the diagnosis of BCC, since it allows its early detection and enables its discrimination from other pigmented and nonpigmented skin tumors. The dermoscopic pattern of BCC results from several combinations of well-known BCC criteria, depending on several factors, including histopathologic subtype, location, gender, age and pigmentary trait. In addition, recent evidence highlighted that dermoscopy is also useful in the management of BCC, since it provides information on the tumor subtype, the presence of pigmentation or ulceration and the response to nonablative treatments.