Facial basal cell carcinoma:A retrospective study of 67 cases

BACKGROUND Basal cell carcinoma(BCC)is a slow-growing malignant tumor characterized by local invasiveness but an exceptionally rare metastatic potential.It ideally affects sun-exposed skin of older patients with more propensity for the facial region.AIM To evaluate the different clinicopathological characteristics of the facial BCC and the efficacy and safety of diode laser for the treatment of these lesions.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed facial BCC lesions of<1.5 cm in diameter and subjected them to diode laser ablation during the period from September 2016 to August 2021 at Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital,Ramadi City,Iraq.Data matching the age,gender,duration,site,and clinical and histological types were registered for every subject.The functional and aesthetic outcomes and complications following diode laser ablation for each patient were also recorded.RESULTS Of 67 patients with facial BCC,there was 65.67%from the age group≥60 years and 58.21%males.The mean duration of the lesions was 5.15±1.836 mo.The most involved location was the nose(29.85%).About half of the cases belong to the noduloulcerative type.Solid histological type comprises 40.3%of the cases,while the least was keratotic(13.4%).Moreover,65.2%of the solid cases were from the age group≤60 years and 38.6%of the adenoid type from the age group>60 years(P value=0.007).Excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes were reported in all cases after 6 mo of follow-up.Few complications were reported after diode laser ablation.CONCLUSION Facial BCC was mostly seen in the elderly and men.The mean duration was 5.15 mo.The nose was the commonest involved site.Noduloulcerative lesions were seen in approximately half of the lesions.The age of the patients determined the histological type of the lesion(solid type was mostly seen in the age group≤60 years,while,adenoid in the age group>60 years).Diode laser ablation showed excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes following a 6-mo follow-up.

Comparative Analysis of Ki-67 Protein as a Proliferative Expression Index in Cutaneous Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Nigeria

Background: Evaluating the tumor proliferative index helps predict clinical behavior and provides prognostic insights for cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (cBCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Objective: This study aimed to identify differences in the proliferative indices among variants of cBCC and cSCC diagnosed at a tertiary healthcare center. Method: Skin biopsies histologically diagnosed as cBCC and cSCC between 2012 and 2018 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, were analyzed. Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks were retrieved along with clinical data, and were prepared on charged microscope slides and the immunohistochemical staining was carried out. The primary antibody used in this study was clone BioCare CRM325C (RM) and adenotonsillar tissue blocks/slides served as positive controls. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry was performed on fresh 4µm sections of the tumor specimens. Results: The application of Ki-67 immunoperoxidase on both BCC and SCC cohort, yielded an intense observable brownish nuclear stain in areas of dense proliferating tumour cells on both cutaneous tumours. The average Ki-67 index for all cSCC cases was 24.7%, with a range of 2.3% - 80%, while the mean for cBCC was 15.8%, ranging from 1.2% - 45.6%. Variants with high proliferative indices were observed in 11.9% of cBCC cases and 29.1% of cSCC cases. Among the low proliferative index category, cSCC accounted for 5.4%, while cBCC represented 14.3%. For mild proliferative indices, cSCC cases made up 7.3% and cBCC, 11.9%. The majority of cases showed moderate proliferative indices, with 61.9% for cBCC and 58.2% for cSCC. Overall, there was a significant difference in proliferative indices between cSCC, cBCC, and their variants. Conclusion: The study found a significantly higher rate of cell proliferation, measured by Ki-67 immunostaining, in cSCC and its variants compared to cBCC. However, certain variants of cBCC also exhibited high Ki-67 expression, indicating they can be as aggressive as some cSCC variants.

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer mainly caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. It is also known as rodent ulcer or basal cell epithelioma. The main mechanism suggested is prolonged exposure to high intensity ultraviolet rays, which causes DNA damage. Pigmented basal cell carcinoma is a rare variety of basal cell carcinoma. Usually, it presents as pigmented nodular mass over the nose or malar region. Other differential diagnoses of this mass, are malignant melanoma and seborrheic keratosis. Treatment of choice is surgical excision with 2 mm of margins.

Recurrent basal cell carcinoma of lower lid invading the orbit and whole hemiface reconstructed by rectus abdominis free flap

Dear Sir, I am Dong Hyun Ji, from the Department of Ophthalmology of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Suwon, Korea. I write to present a very severely recurrent basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in lower lid invading left orbit and whole hemiface,

Periocular basal cell carcinoma-current treatment concepts

Basal cell carcinoma(BCC)is by far the most common human skin cancer.In Caucasians,BCCs account for around 90%of periocular malignancies.However,periocular BCCs are usually neglected due to their slow and painless growth,unless presenting complaints,e.g.,large size,bleeding,recurrent infections of the tumor,or secondary symptoms resulting from adjacent structures involvement as epiphora,limited eye globe motility as well as globe displacement.Moreover,although the tumor can usually be cured with local excision,local recurrence can occur in up to 20%of eyelid BCC cases.Recurrent BCCs of the eyelid show a poorer overall prognosis than the primary ones.In addition,the management of advanced diseases,such as orbital or intracranial invasion as well as metastatic lesions,is challenging and often involves a multidisciplinary approach.In this paper,we reviewed the recent research progress of pathogenesis,clinical presentation,and therapeutics of periocular BCCs.We introduced the molecular pathogenesis of BCCs[multi-step ultraviolet(UV)-induced carcinogenesis model,genetic predisposition,and epigenetic changes],clinical classification,and tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)clinically stage of eyelid skin BCCs.We also emphasized the treatment of BCCs,i.e.,surgical resection,oculoplastic reconstruction,and alternative therapies(radiation therapy,systemic therapy,topical therapy,and prophylactic therapy).In the end,we proposed that considering the possible iatrogenic damage to the surface of the eye by surgical excision,the treatment of periocular BCCs is recommended to be performed by or in the presence of an oculoplastic surgeon.

Cetuximab combined with chemotherapy for simultaneous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Multiple primary carcinomas(MPCs)are defined as two or more independent primary cancers that occur simultaneously or sequentially in the same individual.Synchronous MPCs are rarer than solitary cancers or metachronous MPCs.Accurate diagnoses of synchronous MPCs and the choice of treatment are critical for successful outcomes in these cases.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old patient presented with dysphagia,without obvious cause.A diagnosis of synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma with liver metastasis was confirmed based on examination and laboratory results.After multi-disciplinary consultations,combination chemotherapy(a 3-wk cycle with oxaliplatin 212 mg administered on day 1 and capecitabine 1.5 g twice daily on days 1-14)and esophageal cancer radiotherapy were initiated.Based on the results of genetic testing,we switched to a regimen of leucovorin+fluorouracil+oxaliplatin and cetuximab regimen for 8 cycles.Subsequently,capecitabine and bevacizumab were administered until the most recent follow-up,at which the tumor remained stable.CONCLUSION Successful cetuximab chemotherapy treatment provides a reference for the nonoperative and homogeneous treatment of different pathological types of synchronous MCPs.

Establishment of basal cell carcinoma animal model in Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis)

Basal cell carcinoma （BCC） is the most common skin cancer worldwide, with incidence rates continuing to increase. Ultraviolet radiation is the major environmental risk factor and dysregulation of the Hedgehog （Hh） signaling pathway has been identified in most BCCs. The treatment of locally advanced and metastatic BBCs is still a challenge and requires a better animal model than the widely used rodents for drug development and testing. Chinese tree shrews （Tupaia belangeri chinensis） are closely related to primates, bearing many physiological and biochemical advantages over rodents for characterizing human diseases. Here, we successfully established a Chinese tree shrew BCC model by infecting tail skins with lentiviral SmoA1, an active form of Smoothened （Smo） used to constitutively activate the Hh signaling pathway. The pathological characteristics were verified by immunohistochemical analysis. Interestingly, BCC progress was greatly enhanced by the combined usage of lenUviral SmoA1 and shRNA targeting Chinese tree shrew p53. This work provides a useful animal model for further BCC studies and future

Vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma in Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich(HWW)syndrome is a rare Müllerian duct anomaly,characterized by a combination of urogenital abnormalities.The occurrence of primary cervico-vaginal carcinomas in patients with HWW syndrome is excep-tionally rare,posing significant challenges for screening,early diagnosis,and effective management.CASE SUMMARY We report a rare case of primary clear cell carcinoma of the vagina complicated in a 40-year-old woman with HWW syndrome.The patient presented with irregular vaginal bleeding for 4 years.On gynecological examination,an oblique vaginal septum was suspected.Surgical resection of the vaginal septum revealed a com-municating fistula and a tumor on the left vagina and the left side of the septum,which was confirmed as clear cell carcinoma.One month later,she underwent a radical hysterectomy,vaginectomy,bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy,and pelvic lymph node dissection.Due to significant side effects,she completed only one course of chemotherapy.A year later,lung metastasis was detected and continued to grow.A thoracoscopic wedge resection of the right upper lobe was performed 4 years after the initial surgery.We also conducted a systemic review of the lite-rature on primary cervical or vaginal carcinoma in HWW syndrome to explore this rare entity.CONCLUSION Cervico-vaginal adenocarcinomas in patients with HWW syndrome are occult,and require early surgical intervention and regular imaging surveillance.

Correlation and Expression of COX-2 and P53 Protein in Basal Cell Carcinoma of Eyelid

The correlation between the expression of COX-2 and p53 protein in basal cell carcinoma （BCC） of eyelid and apoptosis was investigated. Specimens of BCC were collected from 40 cases （aged 28-68 y） at the Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, and Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University during from 1999 to 2006. Five specimens of paracancerous tissues served as control group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of COX-2 and p53 in the tissues. The average absorbance （A） and the average positive area rate of COX-2 and p53 protein were measured by image analysis. The positive area rate of COX-2 and p53 protein was analyzed by linear correlation analysis. It was found that COX-2 and p53 proteins were highly expressed in BCC of eyelid, and weakly expressed in paracancerous tissues. Image analysis revealed that the expression of COX-2 and p53 proteins in BCC of eyelid was sig- nificantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues （P〈0.01）. Spearman rank correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the expression of COX-2 and p53 （r=0.113, P=0.421）. It was concluded that COX-2 can increase the expression of p53 protein, therefore suppressing apoptosis.

Curaderm, the Long-Awaited Breakthrough for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Background: Basal cells form a continuous cell layer at the bottom of the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. Basal cell carcinoma occurs when a mutation occurs in the DNA of a basal cell. The mutation inhibits apoptosis—the programmed cell death mechanism. The cell continues to multiply but does not die, resulting in a change in the skin, such as a growth or sore that will not heal. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. Key words searched for the database of this communication were: Curaderm, BEC 5, cancer, skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, solamargine, solasonine and solasodine glycosides. Treatments: Several types of treatments are available to remove or destroy basal cell carcinoma. All currently used treatments are indiscriminate and also remove or destroy normal skin cells resulting in compromised cosmetic outcomes. Development of Curaderm Pharmacotherapy: Curaderm pharmacotherapy discriminates and specifically activates apoptosis at the molecular level in cancer cells but not in normal cells. Accordingly, Curaderm pharmacotherapy for basal cell carcinoma effectively and safely treats virtually all types, sizes and lesion locations. This review describes studies from the inception of Curaderm pharmacotherapy and covers the discovery of the anti-cancer effects, mode of action, preclinical, clinical and field applications with emphasis on efficacy, safety, compliance, tolerance, cost effectiveness and especially cosmetic outcome. In 2018 Curaderm was approved by the European Health Authorities as a Medical Device Class 1 for the indication “Topical Treatment with Keratolytic Action, and Antineoplastic Activity in the Treatment and Healing of Localized Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin”.

The Role of Bcl-2, CD10 and CD34 Expression in Differentiation between Basal Cell Carcinoma and Trichoepithelioma

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and trichoepithelioma (TE) have some similarities clinically and histologically. The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of Bcl-2, CD10 and CD34 in differentiation between BCC and TE. Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2, CD10 and CD34 was evaluated in 20 BCCs and 12 TEs in a retrospective study. The localization of these markers in tumor and stromal cells was determined and comparison between BCC and TE was done. Immunohistochemistry for Bcl-2, CD10 and CD34 was performed on sections obtained from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks. Bcl-2, CD10 and CD34 immunoreactivity in the stromal and/or tumor cells was determined as follows: negative (0);1+ (10% - 50% positive cells);and 2+ (>50% positive cells). Results: In BCC (20 cases), the expression of Bcl-2 in stromal cells showed (0) immunoreactivity in 8 cases (40%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 7 cases (35%), and (2+) immunoreactivity in 5 cases (25%). Tumoral cells showed diffuse positivity in 20 out of 20 cases (100%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 5 cases (25%) and (2+) immunoreactivity in 15 cases (75%). On the other hand, the expression of Bcl2 in TE, 4 cases showed positive stromal cells out of 12 (33.33%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 2 cases (16.6%) and (2+) immunoreactivity in 2 cases (16.6%), and 8 cases showed no immunoreactivity. Tumoral cells showed positivity in 12 out of 12 cases (100%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 5 cases (41.6%), (2+) immunoreactivity in 7 cases (58.3%). In BCC cases, the expression of CD10 was noted in stromal cells in 8 out of 20 cases (40%), 5 cases showed positivity in stromal and basaloid cells and 3 cases showed positivity in stromal cells only, and 12 cases showed no immunoreactivity (60%). Tumor cells showed positivity in 11 cases out of 20 (55%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 6 cases (30%), (2+) in 5 cases (25%), and 9 cases showed no immunoreactivity (45%). On the other hand, the expression of CD10 in TE 7 cases showed positive stromal cells out of 12 (58.33%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 5 cases (41.6%) and (2+) in 2 cases (16.6%), and 5 cases showed no immunoreactivity (41.66%). Tumor cells showed positivity in 5 cases out of 12 (41.66%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 4 cases (33.33%) and (2+) in 1 case (8.3%), and 7 cases showed no immunoreactivity (58.33%). In BCC cases, the expression of CD34 was noted in stromal cells in14 cases out of 20 cases (70%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 10 cases (50%) and (2+) in 4 cases (20%), and 6 cases showed no immunoreactivity (30%). On the other hand, the expression of CD34 in TE, 10 cases showed positive stromal cells out of 12 (83.33%), (1+) immunoreactivity in 6 cases (50%) and (2+) in 4 cases (33.33%), and 2 cases showed no immunoreactivity (16.6%). Tumor cells showed no immunoreactivity for CD 34 in both BCC and trichoepithelioma, (100%) negative tumor cells. Significant difference of tumor\stromal cells immunoreactivity for Bcl-2 and CD34 in both BCC and TE but it was insignificant for CD10. Conclusion: We conclude that Bcl-2 CD10, CD34 are useful markers in the differential diagnosis of BCC versus TE.

Peroxidative Activity in Patients with Skin Basal Cell Carcinoma

Oxidative status assessment is an initial step in tumor related studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study considering oxidative activity of both serum and tissue specimens in human basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common tumor in the world. Concentration of Malondialdehide (MDA) in human basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and individually matched normal skin tissue were examined with spectrophotometery method. Fresh normal and cancerous skin paired tissue was obtained from 60 patients who underwent curative BCC resection at one center in Tehran (Razi hospital). Serum Concentration of Malondialdehide (MDA) in these patients and 55 normal subjects were also measured. MDA level in cancerous tissue of patients with skin BCC (1.0 ± 0.14 ng/g) was significantly (p = 0.001) higher than normal neighboring skin tissue (0.3 ± 0.07 ng/g). A remarkable (Not significant, P = 0.18) increase was found in the serum MDA level in patients with skin BCC (8.0 ± 2.3 ng/ml) in comparison with the control subjects (7.3 ± 2.9 ng/ml). A significant positive correlation (r = 0.276, p = 0.03) was found between Serum MDA and skin tissue MDA for non-affected skin tissue (normal neighboring skin), whereas no significant correlation (p > 0.05) was found for cancerous tissue. Cut-point of 5.2 ng/ml of serum MDA concentration showed a screening sensitivity of 95%. There is an active oxidative process in BCC lesions. Serum MDA concentration can be used either as a screening test or a predictor for tissue MDA concentration.

A Rare Case of a Large Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva

We present an interesting and unusual case of a 5 cm well-demarcated erosive plaque on the labia minora, extending to the vagina in an 85-year-old woman, causing pain and discomfort for 2 years. The patient was treated several times with topical and systemic anti-fungals without benefit. Histopathology revealed a typical superficial spreading basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and the patient was referred to a gynecologist for surgical excision. Our case is an alert of BCCs arising on the genital area because they are rare and patients usually present with large lesions, as they do not seek medical attention for what they consider simple irritation. Physicians easily misdiagnose these cancers as inflammatory or infectious dermatoses.

Vulvar basal cell carcinoma: A retrospective study of 29 cases from Queensland

Objective: Review the clinical features, diagnosis, management and outcomes for 29 cases of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) of the Vulva referred to Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC) between 1986 and 2010. Methods: Vulvar BCC cases from QCGC were reviewed and analysed using the computer software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.0. Results: BCC of the vulva is uncommon with an incidence from the QCGC vulvar cancer registry of 3.2%. Of the 29 patients one died of their BCC and seven died of unrelated causes. The mean age at diagnosis was 69.5 years (range 40 to 91). All cases were Caucasian. Time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis averaged 22.6 months (range 0 - 120 months). Not until a biopsy was performed was the diagnosis made. The most common presenting complaints were pruritis and a lump. Initial treatment was surgical. Conclusions: The prognosis for vulvar BCC is excellent. Histological diagnosis and long term follow-up are important management issues. The status of disease at the margins of surgical specimens does not reliably equate to patient long term outcomes. Follow up should be supervised via a gynecological oncology register to reduce the risk of patient loss to follow up.

Treatment Patterns and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Community Oncology Setting

Advanced basal cell carcinoma (aBCC) includes metastatic and locally advanced BCC that is inoperable (or with surgery contraindicated). We describe patient characteristics and treatment history for aBCC cases from community oncology. Nine cases of aBCC were found within the ACORN Data Warehouse, a community oncology database of >180,000 cancer patients. Data were summarized descriptively. Three illustrative case histories are presented. Patients were predominantly Caucasian (8/9), male (6/9), and over 60 (6/9). Four had metastatic disease;five had aBCC without metastasis. Five had a history of treatment for early stage BCC, including surgery (5/5), radiation (1/5), and none had chemotherapy. Those with history of early stage BCC had periods of apparent lack of follow-up and treatment. One had chemotherapy for aBCC (platinum based with radiation) and eight had radiation without chemotherapy. Patients had multiple comorbid serious medical conditions. Six were deceased, but only one was documented to have aBCC as cause of death. Advanced BCC is rare in community oncology settings. There appear to be gaps in the care and follow-up of patients with initial early stage BCC. More data and larger samples are needed from multi-specialty databases such as dermatology and head and neck surgery.

Vismodegib Provides a Novel Treatment for Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma

Objective: To review and evaluate vismodegib, the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment for locally advanced (laBCC) or metastatic basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) that has recurred after surgery or for patients in which surgery or radiation is not an option. Data Sources: A literature search using PubMed was conducted through January 2013, using the terms vismodegib, GDC-0449, and Erivedge. Additional literature was found through the reference citations of identified articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Potential sources were limited to human studies published in English with a priority placed on those focused on laBCC or mBCC. Data Synthesis: Vismodegib is a selective inhibitor of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway approved for the treatment of laBCC or mBCC that has recurred after surgery, or for patients for whom surgery or radiation is contraindicated. Vismodegib inhibits cancer cell growth and survival by binding Smoothened, a transmembrane protein involved in the Hedgehog signal transduction. Vismodegib is administered orally at a dose of 150 mg daily. It is primarily eliminated through the feces unchanged but does have some oxidative metabolites produced from the recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 and CYP3A4/5. Despite CYP450 involvement, it appears to have very few drug interactions. The most common adverse events reported with vismodegib include muscle spasms, dysgeusia, alopecia, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, anorexia, and diarrhea. FDA approval was based on a single arm phase II study that demonstrated an objective response rate of 30% in mBCC patients and 45% in laBCC patients. Vismodegib was approved by the FDA on January 30, 2012 for use in patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma, and continues to be studied in other patient populations for additional potential uses. Conclusions: Based on a review of current evidence, vismodegib provides an effective and well-tolerated treatment for otherwise untreatable basal cell carcinoma.

Clinicopathological Pattern of Basal Cell Carcinoma among Sudanese Patients

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a frequently diagnosed skin cancer with variable histopathological types. BCC was not widely studied in Sudan as it is in the Caucasian population. Objectives: To appraise the clinical and histopathological aspects of BCC of the skin in Sudan. Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of 84 histologically diagnosed BCC specimens seen at three hospitals in four-year duration were reviewed and classified into histological variants according to the WHO classification 2006. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 23.0. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the study participants was 56 (±1.75) years, ranging from 20 to 92 years and 63.1% were females (Female to male ratio 1.7:1). The most common incidence was among the age group 51 - 60 years. The face was the primary tumor site in 89.3% with a predilection for the nasal area (31% of those in the face), followed by the trunk (6%). Out of the total, 54.8% were histologically categorized as nodular/solid, while infiltrative accounts for 11.9% followed by the superficial type (8.3%). Surgical margins were involved in 34.5% of cases and peri-neural invasion was seen in 3.6% of cases, mostly were of the infiltrative variant. Conclusion: BCC in Sudan is commonly present in the head as solid nodular histopathological variant which is correlated with worldwide distribution but has slightly younger age and female predominance;thus further studies are needed to assess risk factors in Sudanese patients and improve approaches for earlier diagnosis and better management.

Prognostic factors correlation between the cell cycle phases and apoptosis in basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy, are found in various forms depending on their clinical and biological behavior. The objective of study was analyzed the phases of the cell cycle and correlations between BCC of low and high risk of recurrence and correlation prognostic factors. The quantity of content DNA in tissues of normal skin, showed small amount of cells in apoptosis and mostly in phase quiescent and rare aneuploidy cells. In BCC, apoptosis was higher in the BCC at high risk than low risk, probably due to their high rates of cell proliferation, and present of aneuploidy cells, when compared to the average percentage of aneuploidy. The DNA content from cells of normal skin shows that the majority is in the quiescent phase;compatible with tissues that are is refreshing. There is presence of apoptosis in the epidermis by probable normal process of differentiation. The aneuploidy in BCC showed a direct correlation with the degree of tumor aggressiveness.

Cholesterol Crystal Deposition in Basal Cell Carcinoma: An Investigation of 4 Cases

Cholesterol crystals are a primary cause of cholesterol embolism if they appear in vessels. Various papers have reported the involvement of cholesterol crystal deposition in cutaneous diseases such as xanthoma. However, no cases of cholesterol crystal involvement in cutaneous cancer have been reported. We report four cases of basal cell carcinoma with cholesterol crystal deposition, and discuss the mechanism(s) of the condition. Disease duration, anatomical site, histopathological features, and serum lipid profiles were investigated. The median disease duration was 3.5 years, and the sites of the lesions were the scrotum (one patient) and the nose (three patients). Histopathologically, there was necrotized tissue around the clefts. In addition, we detected frequent apoptotic cells around the cholesterol clefts in two of the patients by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling method. Serum lipid levels were slightly elevated in two of the patients. In conclusion, cholesterol crystal deposition in basal cell carcinoma was considered to relate to a long disease duration with a tumor in a region that was subject to external irritation. Histopathologically, apoptotic cells around the cholesterol clefts indicated that lipids from the tumor cell membranes were one of the causes of cholesterol crystal deposition.

Keratotic and Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma

Background: Basal cell carcinomas or rodent ulcers are commonly seen in the tear zone of the face. It rarely mimics melanomas when pigmented. Aim: We review literature of this uncommon condition and discuss the therapeutic modalities. Case Report: An elderly lady sought attention for a pigmented lesion on her forehead. The case is presented because pigmented lesions and verrucous appearing lesions can also be due to basal cell carcinoma. Typically basal cell carcinoma appears in the tear zone of the face and it mostly affects sun exposed areas. Conclusion: While surgery remains the gold standard in treatment, other modalities can be offered in areas where vital structures cannot be sacrificed and in recurrent lesions.