Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting around 600,000-800,000 people in the US each year. It typically appears as a slow-growing, pale nodule on areas exposed to the sun, especially the head and neck region. While rarely metastatic, basal cell carcinoma can cause significant local tissue destruction if left untreated. Treatment options include surgical excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, cryotherapy, and radiation therapy, with the treatment approach depending on factors like tumor location and patient preferences.
3. Epidemiology Most common human cancer(~80-90%) 600,000 to 800,000 cases per year in U.S. Male:Female 2-3:1 80% arise in head and neck Age Likelihood increases with age BCCa over 40 years old Race Most often in light-skinned, rare in dark-skinned races
5. Basics of BCC Typically slow-growing Rarely metastasizes (<0.1%) Typically sporadic No cellular anaplasia (a true carcinoma?) Very low mortality Significant morbidity with direct invasion of adjacent tissues, especially when on face or near an eye
9. Types of BCC Nodular Basosquamous 息 Schofield JK and Kneebone R (2006) Skin lesions: a practical guide to diagnosis management and minor surgery. Superficial Pigmented Morphoeic 息 dermNetNZ.org (http://dermnetnz.org)
10. Basal Cell Carcinoma - Subtypes Superficial Single or multiple patches Trunk Indurated scaly D/D- eczema, psoriasis or tinea .
11. Basal Cell Carcinoma - Subtypes Nodular Ulcerative Most common Usually on the face Small, slow growing Firm Telangectasias Ulceration
12. Basal Cell Carcinoma - Subtypes Sclerosing (Morpheaform) Yellow white plaques Ill defined boarders Most aggressive Most likely to recur Central sclerosis & scarring
13. Basal Cell Carcinoma - Subtypes Pigmented Similar to nodular type Deep brown pigmentation Differential- malignant melanoma
18. Basal Cell Carcinoma - Histopathology Resemble normal basal cells Hyperchromatic nuclei, scant cytoplasm Clustered separate from stroma Peripheral palisading Desmoplastic reaction Nests or in continuity
19. Clinical course Nodulo-ulcerarive type begins as a flesh coloured waxy nodule with telangectasia -> enlarges -> central ulceration -> deepens -> roled out, beaded edges -> destroys structures locally as deep as bone/ cartilage -> aptly named rodent ulcer Rare metastasis, but recurrence known after inadequate treatment
21. Treatment Options Electrodessication and curettage Curettage alone Surgical excision Mohs micrographically controlled surgery Cryosurgery Ionizing radiation Surgical excision plus radiation E xenteration
22. Factors Considered in Treatment Planning Pt preference to keep eye Pt age Surgical excision-considered definitive tx Careful frozen section controlled excision of periocular BCCs yields cure rates comparable to Mohs micrographic surgery at 5-year follow-up 5 year recurrence of 2.2% in one study Therefore, avoiding exenteration was considered a good possibility
Italicized considered aggressive histotypes, n most likely to lead to perineural invasion n/or recurrence. Overall 5 year recurrence is 5%, 1.2% c adequate exc, 12% c tumor in 1 HPF of margin, n 33% if at margin
NOTES FOR PRESENTERS: There are a range of different clinical presentations and histological variants of BCC. Superficial BCCs are important to distinguish clinically from other types of BCCs because they can frequently be managed medically, avoiding the need for excision. Nodular: Commonly on the face, cystic, pearly, telangiectasa, may be ulcerated, micronodular and microcystic types may infiltrate deeply. Superficial: Often multiple, usually on upper trunk and shoulders, erythematous well-demarcated scaly plaques, often larger than 20 mm at presentation, slow growth over months or years, may be confused with Bowens disease or inflammatory dermatoses, particularly responsive to medical rather than surgical treatment. Morphoeic: Also known as sclerosing or infiltrative BCC, usually found in mid-facial sites, skin-coloured, waxy, scar-like, prone to recurrence after treatment, may infiltrate cutaneous nerves (perineural spread). Pigmented: Brown, blue or greyish lesion, nodular or superficial histology, may resemble malignant melanoma. Basosquamous: Mixed BCC and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), potentially more aggressive than other forms of BCC.
These can be neglected and or treated as benign pathology.
Like small patches of scleroderma.
Pathology: Fibrous tumour intersected by thin anastomosing bands of basal cells. May be considered a precursor to BCC nodular type.
The associated BCC lesions are primarily face and back BCC reported in 76% of patients with Gorlins
Malignant degeneration in early adult life Death due to metastatic disease Treatment: early aggressive identification and excision of suspicious lesions.
Abnormal synthesis and processing of melanin. Two large subtypes with numerous further subclassifications. Oculo Cutaneous Albinism : skin, hair, eyes. Ocular albinism: eyes. Increased risk for skin malignancies is similar to that of type I phototypes.