Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy-augmented characterization of pigmented micro-basal cell carcinoma (less than 2 mm diameter)

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, accounting for approximately 80% of nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnoses each year. Among other factors, the staging of BCC is influenced by its measured diameter. Stage 1 BCC is defined as a lesion measuring 2 cm across or less. Of note, there have been increasing publications reporting features of "small-sized" BCCs, which can present smaller than 1 mm. However, few of these studies have characterized features of pigmented small-sized BCC. The application of in-vivo imaging such as dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) allows for the non-invasive distinction of these lesions from benign and malignant melanocytic neoplasms, thereby reducing unnecessary biopsies.

METHODS

Within one year, three patients presented to Oregon Health and Science University's dermatology clinic with pigmented lesions of concern measuring less than 2 mm that were histologically confirmed as pigmented BCC. We sought to characterize the features of these lesions in a case series with the non-invasive imaging modalities of dermoscopy and RCM.

RESULTS

All cases presented clinically as a small, brown, macule on the face. Each of the three cases exhibited differing features on dermoscopy. With the application of RCM, we were able to visualize characteristic BCC features, prompting removal by shave biopsy.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, no other study has reported dermoscopic and RCM features of a cohort of pigmented BCCs 2 mm in diameter or smaller. We propose to define BCCs of this size as micro-BCCs. The variability of dermoscopic findings observed in our study, combined with the small size of these pigmented lesions, shows the utility of RCM as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for pigmented micro-BCCs.

Efficacy of Vismodegib in pigmented basal cell carcinoma: Appearances are deceiving

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in humans. Pigmented basal cell carcinoma (pBCC) is a rare variant of BCC. Vismodegib, was the first drug to be approved for the treatment of locally advanced (laBCCs) or metastatic basal cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Vismodegib in patients with pBCCs. We retrospectively analyzed patients receiving Vismodegib as treatment for laBCCs presenting also various pBCCs. After 6 months of treatment, we performed excisional biopsies of pBCCs, that apparently at clinical and dermoscopic assessment did not respond to therapy. A total of nine patients were assessed. After 6 months of treatment, locally advanced target BCCs showed complete remission in four out of nine patients (44.4%), four patients (44.4%) were considered in partial remission and one patient (11%) showed no response to treatment. On the contrary, all the pBCCs showed both clinically and dermoscopically resistance to treatment. Therefore, clinically persistent pBCCs were surgically removed in three patients. Histology showed a complete elimination of the neoplastic cells together with features of previous regression. Our findings indicate that the efficacy of Vismodegib is higher than that documented by clinical or even dermatoscopic observation alone.

Clinical management of very small pigmented lesions: Improved clinical outcome through dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy combination

INTRODUCTION

Small-sized pigmented lesions (SSPL) <3 mm in diameter are common pitfall in the daily dermatology practice. Dermoscopy alone is hampered by the lack of specific features inversely proportional to the diameter of the lesions and its performance is highly operator-dependent. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been demonstrated to be effective in the diagnosis of several difficult lesions where dermoscopy lacks to provide conclusive information.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 179 lesions with uncertain or equivocal clinical and dermoscopy appearance were selected. Dermoscopist has been requested to express a diagnostic suspect when possible. Equivocal lesions underwent RCM performed by expert for second-level evaluation before surgical excision for histological diagnosis. Results have been later statistically analysed.

RESULTS

Dermoscopy was not diagnostic in large number of lesions with low concordance histology (39.1%) instead of a much high concordance when combined with RCM (93.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Small-sized pigmented lesions were more likely to be located on the face area. Diagnosis of pigmented BCC was relatively easy on dermoscopy and also in the case of small lesions showing typical signs of BCC. LM and MM have been seen to be particularly difficult to be diagnosed using only dermoscopy. The combination of digital dermoscopy and RCM represents the correct approach of SSPL.

Furuncular myiasis of the scalp associated with pigmented basal cell carcinoma: First case diagnosed in Albania

We are reporting a case of myiasis associated with pigmented basal cell carcinoma. This is the first reported case from Albania and Balkan peninsula. Correct diagnosis and prompt treatment may prevent a disastrous and destructive course of the disease and may lead to improved quality of life.

Dermoscopic features of basal cell carcinoma and its subtypes: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have reported on dermoscopic structures in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and its subtypes, with varying results.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the prevalence of dermoscopic structures in BCC and its subtypes.

METHODS

Databases and reference lists were searched for relevant trials according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were assessed for the relative proportion of BCC dermoscopic features. Random-effects models were used to estimate summary effect sizes.

RESULTS

Included were 31 studies consisting of 5950 BCCs. The most common dermoscopic features seen in BCC were arborizing vessels (59%), shiny white structures (49%), and large blue-grey ovoid nests (34%). Arborizing vessels, ulceration, and blue-grey ovoid nests and globules were most common in nodular BCC; short-fine telangiectasia, multiple small erosions, and leaf-like, spoke wheel and concentric structures in superficial BCC; porcelain white areas and arborizing vessels in morpheaform BCC; and arborizing vessels and ulceration in infiltrative BCC.

LIMITATIONS

Studies had significant heterogeneity. Studies reporting BCC histopathologic subtypes did not provide clinical data on pigmentation of lesions.

CONCLUSION

In addition to arborizing vessels, shiny white structures are a common feature of BCC. A constellation of dermoscopic features may aid in differentiating between BCC histopathologic subtypes.

Dermoscopic features of small size pigmented basal cell carcinomas

Dermoscopic images of histologically proven pigmented basal cell carcinomas (BCC) were retrospectively assessed to compare the dermoscopic features of BCC of 3 mm or less in diameter (n = 6) with BCC of 4-6 mm in diameter (n = 11). All lesions lacked the presence of a pigment network. BCC with a diameter of 3 mm or less had fewer positive dermoscopic features compared with the 4-6 mm in diameter BCC. Multiple blue-gray globules and large blue-gray ovoid nests were frequently present. Dermoscopy is a useful tool for early diagnosis of pigmented BCC, even when they are small.

Reflectance confocal microscopy is a useful non-invasive tool in the in vivo diagnosis of pigmented basal cell carcinoma in Asians

BACKGROUND

The clinical differentiation between pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and other benign pigmented skin lesions can be challenging even with an additional dermoscopic evaluation, especially if the lesion is small. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an emerging, non-invasive imaging tool that allows near-microscopic evaluation of skin lesions. The features of RCM for pigmented BCC and seborrhoeic keratosis have previously been described. However, the use of RCM to differentiate between these clinically and dermoscopically challenging pigmented skin lesions among Asians has not yet been demonstrated.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of non-invasive RCM to differentiate between clinically and dermoscopically challenging pigmented skin lesions among Asians in a series of 11 lesions.

METHODS

Nine patients with 11 clinically and dermoscopically difficult to distinguish pigmented skin lesions were evaluated by RCM to differentiate between pigmented BCC and benign lesions. In all cases, a histological confirmation of the RCM diagnosis was obtained.

RESULTS

The clinical or dermoscopical characteristics were non-specific in all 10 cases. RCM detected features of pigmented BCC in nine patients and seborrhoeic keratosis in one patient. These were all confirmed by histological examination.

CONCLUSIONS

This case series shows the value of non-invasive in vivo RCM imaging in the differentiation of malignant and benign pigmented lesions. Early diagnosis of small, pigmented BCC allows earlier excision with better prognosis. Future biopsies of benign lesions in cosmetic areas could also be avoided.

Trichilemmoma in continuity with pigmented basal cell carcinoma; with dermatoscopy and dermatopathology

A case of trichilemmoma in continuity with a pigmented basal cell carcinoma is presented with dermatoscopy and dermatopathology. The distinction between the two lesions was evident dermatoscopically and was confirmed dermatopathologically. While trichilemmoma has been reported in association with basal cell carcinoma and dermatoscopy images of four previous cases of trichilemmoma have been published, no previous dermatoscopy image has been published of trichilemmoma associated with basal cell carcinoma.

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

BACKGROUND

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.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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 featureless areas, were more frequent in nodular than in sBCCs (p < 0.0001). Telangectasias, white-red structureless areas, red dots and red globules were more common in non- pigmented than in pigmented BCCs (p <0.0001). In addition, a significant difference of arborizing vessels was detected in pigmented lesions in comparison to non-pigmented (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

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.

Pigmented basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid in Hispanics

BACKGROUND

Pigmented basal cell carcinoma (PBCC) of the eyelid has not been well cited in the literature, and is often overlooked in the differential diagnosis of pigmented eyelid lesions. We aim to describe PBCC of the eyelid in Hispanic patients.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with eyelid skin cancer who presented to the Department of Dermatology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and the Doheny Eye Institute from January 2002 to November 2005.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine of the 79 patients with eyelid skin cancer had basal cell carcinoma. Eight of these patients were Hispanic. Four of the eight Hispanic patients had PBCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Although eyelid PBCC is regarded as a rare condition, it may occur more commonly in the Hispanic population and should be remembered in the differential diagnosis of pigmented eyelid lesions.