Basal cell carcinoma(BCC) is malignant epithelial neoplasm arising from either basal cells or pluripotential appendageal cells of the epidermis. BCC is the most common cutaneous malignancy, especially in sun-exposed sites, such as head and neck. But its occurrence on the finger is very rare. We experienced a case of BCC arising on the dorsal surface of the middle finger of a young woman. This case is not associated with any predisposing factors such as basal cell nevus syndrome, trauma, or preexistent dermatosis. Following surgical removal of the lesion, the defect was covered with full-thickness skin graft. The patient has presented no sign of relapse for 1 year of clinical follow-up. We report this rare case of BCC in terms of age and location.
Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Causality ; Epidermis ; Female ; Fingers* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Neck ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Neoplasms ; Transplants

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS), or Gorlin Syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disorder, characterized by multiple developmental abnormalities and associated with germline mutations in the PTCH gene. Patients show multiple and early onset basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) in skin, odontogeniccysts in the jaw, pits on palms and soles, medulloblastoma, hypertelorism, and calcification of the falx cerebri. Clinical features of BCCs in these patients are indistinguishable from ordinary BCCs. However, some patients show variable histologic findings in subtypes of BCCs, and only one case associated with several histologic types of BCCs in the syndrome has been reported in Korea. We present a case of BCNS characterized by multiple BCCs, odontogenic keratocysts, multiple palmar pits, and calcified falx cerebri. Histopathologic findings of BCCs showed several patterns, which were nodular, superficial, and pigmented types.
Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Humans ; Hypertelorism ; Jaw ; Korea ; Medulloblastoma ; Neoplasms by Histologic Type ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Skin

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is a rare autosomal dominant multisystem disorder due to a mutation in the PTCH1 gene. Dermatologic manifestations include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and palmoplantar pits. This case of childhood-onset BCC arising in a child of Filipino descent with BCNS illustrates the importance of early detection and diagnosis, which will then facilitate early counseling and management of this lifelong condition. An 11-year-old Filipino-American girl presented with multiple variegated pearly papules on the face, clavicular area and upper back. She also had multiple palmoplantar pits. Shave biopsy of a papule showed BCC. Trans-abdominal ultrasound revealed bilateral ovarian calcifications. Jaw and chest radiography were unremarkable. Skin lesions were initially treated with ablative erbium:YAG laser and later recurred after 3 months. Imiquimod cream was then started which resulted in partial resolution of lesions after 12 weeks. The dermatologist's role in the diagnosis of BCNS is integral, especially in this case where the patient is a seemingly well child with predominantly dermatologic manifestations. Clinical findings of BCNS, including BCC, are recurrent. Lifetime monitoring, counseling and adequate patient education and appropriate treatment of lesions are central to the management of this condition.

Human ; Female ; Child ; Aminoquinolines ; Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Dermatologists ; Erbium ; Lasers, Solid-state ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is a rare autosomal dominant multisystem disorder due to a mutation in the PTCH1 gene. Dermatologic manifestations include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and palmoplantar pits. This case of childhood-onset BCC arising in a child of Filipino descent with BCNS illustrates the importance of early detection and diagnosis, which will then facilitate early counseling and management of this lifelong condition. An 11-year-old Filipino-American girl presented with multiple variegated pearly papules on the face, clavicular area and upper back. She also had multiple palmoplantar pits. Shave biopsy of a papule showed BCC. Trans-abdominal ultrasound revealed bilateral ovarian calcifications. Jaw and chest radiography were unremarkable. Skin lesions were initially treated with ablative erbium:YAG laser and later recurred after 3 months. Imiquimod cream was then started which resulted in partial resolution of lesions after 12 weeks. The dermatologist's role in the diagnosis of BCNS is integral, especially in this case where the patient is a seemingly well child with predominantly dermatologic manifestations. Clinical findings of BCNS, including BCC, are recurrent. Lifetime monitoring, counseling and adequate patient education and appropriate treatment of lesions are central to the management of this condition.

Human ; Female ; Child ; Aminoquinolines ; Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Dermatologists ; Erbium ; Lasers, Solid-state ; Mutation ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms

Pilomatricoma is a well defind and characteristic entity histologically, but this tumor may be encountered during aspiration biopsy of subcutaneous mass, and is, occasionally, confused with other neoplasms, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and epidermal inclusion cyst. Recently, we have experienced a case of pilomatricoma diagnosed by aspiration biosy. The smear of the aspirate revealed anucleated "ghost" squamous cells, basaloid or basophilic squamous cells and nucleated squamous cells, which lack nuclear features of malignacy. These findings are consistent with pilomatricoma.
Basophils ; Biopsy, Needle ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Child* ; Humans ; Pilomatrixoma ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Hedgehog was first described in Drosophila melanogaster by the Nobel laureates Eric Wieschaus and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard. The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a major regulator of cell differentiation, proliferation, tissue polarity, stem cell maintenance, and carcinogenesis. The first link of Hh signaling to cancer was established through studies of a rare familial disease, Gorlin syndrome, in 1996. Follow-up studies revealed activation of this pathway in basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma and, leukemia as well as in gastrointestinal, lung, ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer. Targeted inhibition of Hh signaling is now believed to be effective in the treatment and prevention of human cancer. The discovery and synthesis of specific inhibitors for this pathway are even more exciting. In this review, we summarize major advances in the understanding of Hh signaling pathway activation in human cancer, mouse models for studying Hh-mediated carcinogenesis, the roles of Hh signaling in tumor development and metastasis, antagonists for Hh signaling and their clinical implications.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hedgehog Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Humans ; Medulloblastoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Models, Animal ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Patched Receptors ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Skin Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatments are the first-line therapy for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, for patients who are not candidates for surgery, non-surgical options, such as pulsed dye laser (PDL), may be considered.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to review the existing literature on the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of PDL in the treatment of BCC.

METHODOLOGY

A systematic review and meta-analysis of PDL for BCC were conducted. The primary outcomes assessed were clearance and recurrence rates. The secondary outcome was the incidence of adverse events.

RESULTS

The review included 11 studies (4 randomized controlled trials, 6 cohort studies, and 1 case series) comprising a total of 204 patients and 295 BCCs. Most BCCs were low-risk histologically and predominantly located on low-risk areas. The meta-analysis revealed an overall clearance rate of 69% and a recurrence rate of 32%, with follow-up periods ranging from 1 to 72 months. However, there was substantial and statistically significant heterogeneity across all studies. The most frequently reported adverse effects included pigmentary changes, primarily hypopigmentation, and varying degrees of scarring.

CONCLUSION

PDL is a safe and tolerable option for treating BCC, though it is not recommended as a sole treatment due to the higher clearance rates and lower recurrence rates associated with other modalities. PDL may be considered an alternative for non-surgical candidates with small or superficial BCCs. Further research is needed to establish standardized parameters for its use in BCC treatment.

Human ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Lasers ; Tumors ; Neoplasms

Introduction: The true incidence of skin cancer, as well as the clinico-demographic and histopathologic profile of skin cancer patients in the Philippines, has not been established. To the authors’ knowledge, no similar studies have been published in recent years. Objectives: To determine the clinico-demographic and histopathologic characteristics of histopathologically-proven skin cancer Filipino pa- tients in a Philippine public tertiary hospital. Methods: This study included 121 patients with histopathologically-proven skin cancers from January 2015 to December 2019 in the dermatology and pathology departments of a public tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Retrospective chart review and descriptive data analysis were conducted for this study. Results: Of the 121 cases, the common skin cancers included basal cell carcinoma (54%), squamous cell carcinoma (27%), cutaneous lymphoma (7%), and melanoma (6%). The mean age was 63 ±16 years. There was a slight female preponderance (56%). The most commonly affected area was the head and neck region (73%). Most cases (54%) were clinically diagnosed by dermatologists, while the remaining patients were seen by non-derma-tologists. Thus, the concordance between clinical diagnosis and histopathologic confirmation was 62% in basal cell carcinoma, 50% in cutaneous lymphoma, 29% in melanoma, and 24% in squamous cell carcinoma. Overall, the skin cancer lesions amongst the patients were significant at the time of diagnosis, with a median length of 20 mm and a median width of 18.5 mm. Conclusion Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer (54%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (27%). The head and neck was the most commonly affected region at 73%. Due to the low concordance of clinical and histopathologic confirmation, referral to a dermatologist is necessary to improve clinical accuracy. In the public tertiary hospital setting, whole-body skin examination should be a part of the initial derma- tology screening to catch small skin cancers. A system to ensure regular follow-up of skin cancer patients should be initiated to optimize early detection of recurrence and subsequent treatment as necessary.
Skin Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Melanoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer, generally located in hair-bearing, sunlight exposed areas. BCC usually occurs on the head and neck, but very rarely on the sole. A 45-year-old man visited our department with 1 cm sized erythematous patch and erosion. The lesion has been enlarged over a period of 10 years. Dermoscopic examination showed arborizing vessels and blue-gray blotch. Herein, we report a rare case of BCC of the sole with consideration of its origin, cause and dermoscopic findings.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Dermoscopy ; Head ; Neck ; Skin Neoplasms ; Sunlight

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer of humans. The incidence of BCC is closely correlated with sun exposure, as well as older age. Because of this, BCCs are frequently found on sun-exposed areas of fair-skinned, older individuals. The axilla is one of the sun-protected sites where BCC rarely develops. We herein report three unusual cases of primary BCC which arose from the axilla.
Axilla* ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Skin Neoplasms ; Solar System