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ESSENTIALS OF DIAGNOSIS

ESSENTIALS OF DIAGNOSIS

  • Pearly papule, erythematous patch > 6 mm, or nonhealing ulcer.

  • Usually in sun-exposed areas (face, trunk, lower legs).

  • Common in fair-skinned persons with a history of sun exposure (often intense, intermittent).

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Basal cell carcinomas are the most common form of cancer. They occur on sun-exposed skin in otherwise normal, fair-skinned individuals; UV light is the cause. Basal cell carcinomas can be divided into clinical and histologic subtypes, which determine both clinical behavior and treatment. The clinical subtypes include superficial, nodular, pigmented, and morpheaform. The histologic subtypes include superficial, nodular, micronodular, and infiltrative. Because a second basal cell carcinoma develops in up to half of patients, skin examination is required at least yearly to detect new or recurrent lesions. Nicotinamide, 500 mg orally twice daily, can decrease the rate of development of basal cell carcinomas by 20% in high-risk groups.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

The most common presentation is a papule or nodule with a central erosion (eFigure 6–10). Occasionally the nodules have stippled pigment (pigmented basal cell carcinoma). Intradermal nevi without pigment on the face of older White individuals may resemble basal cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas grow slowly, attaining a size of 1–2 cm or more in diameter, usually only after years of growth. There is a “pearly” appearance, with telangiectatic vessels easily visible (Figure 6–7) (eFigure 6–11) (eFigure 6–12). It is the pearly or translucent quality of these lesions that is most diagnostic, a feature best appreciated if the skin is stretched (eFigure 6–13). On the back and chest, basal cell carcinomas appear as reddish, somewhat shiny, scaly thin papules or plaques (eFigure 6–14). Morpheaform basal cell carcinomas are scar-like in appearance. Basal cell carcinomas are more common and more likely to recur in immunosuppressed patients, including those with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and those who have undergone solid organ or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

eFigure 6–10.

A: Ulcer on the nasal tip is the most obvious warning sign for this infiltrative BCC. B: Nodular BCC on the nasal ala of an 82-year-old woman. The nose is a very common location for a basal cell carcinoma. C: Large ulcerated nodular BCC on the mid-chest of a man without housing. The authors excised this in a free clinic located in a church basement. D: Large nodular basal cell carcinoma with an annular appearance on the face of a woman without housing. E: Superficial basal cell carcinoma on the back of a 45-year-old man who enjoys running in the California sun without his shirt. Note the diffuse scaling, thready border (slightly raised and pearly), and spotty hyperpigmentation on the edges. F: Large superficial BCC located on the back. Note the thready pearly border and small areas of pigmentation—both common features in superficial BCCs. G: Sclerosing BCC on the ...

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