Basal-cell carcinoma
Author:
Mikael Häggström [note 1]
.jpg){kind=link}
Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC):
Fixation
- Generally: Buffered 4% formaldehyde.[1]
Gross processing
Gross examination
Note:
- Color
- Well-defined or diffuse border
- Size
- Any elevation
Tissue selection
| <4 mm | 4 - 8 mm | 9 - 15 mm |
|---|---|---|
| File:Tissue selection from skin excision less than 4 mm with suspected malignant lesion.png | File:Tissue selection from skin excision 4-8 mm with suspected malignant lesion.png | File:Tissue selection from skin excision 9-15 mm with suspected malignant lesion.png |
In table above, each top image shows recommended lines for cutting out slices to be submitted for further processing. Bottom image shows which side of the slice that should be put to microtomy. Dashed lines here mean that either side could be used. Further information: Gross processing of skin excisions
Microscopic evaluation
Broadly consists of determining the following:
- Whether it is basal-cell carcinoma or a differential diagnosis.
- Aggressiveness pattern
- Radicality
Optionally, further subtyping of basal-cell carcinoma can be made.
Characteristics
Cells appearing similar to epidermal basal cells, and are usually well differentiated.[3]
Differential diagnoses
| Differential diagnosis | Pathological Features | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Trichoblastoma | Absence of cleft, rudimentary hair germs, papillary mesenchymal bodies. | File:Micrographs of trichoblastoma.jpg |
| Adenoid cystic carcinoma | Lack of basaloid cells disposed in peripheral palisades; adenoid-cystic lesion without connection to the epidermis; absence of artefactual clefts | File:Micrograph of adenoid cystic carcinoma.jpg |
| Microcystic adnexal carcinoma | Bland keratinocytes, keratin cysts, ductal differentiation. BerEp4- (in 60% of cases)[5], CEA+, EMA+ | |
| Trichoepithelioma[notes 1] | Rims of collagen bundles, calcification, follicular/sebaceous/infundibular differentiation and cut artefacts. Cytokeratin (CK)20+, p75+, Pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 1 + (PHLDA1+), common acute lymphoblastic leukemiaantigen + (CD10+) in tumor stroma, CK 6-, Ki-67- and Androgen Rceptor- (AR-) | File:Trichoepithelioma (1338537528).jpg |
| Merkel cell carcinoma | Cells arranged in a diffuse, trabecular and/or nested pattern, involving also the subcutis. Mouse Anti-Cytokeratin (CAM) 5.2+, CK20+, S100-, human leukocyte common antigen- ( LCA-), thyroid transcription factor 1- (TTF1-) | File:Micrographs of a typical merkel cell carcinoma.jpg |
.jpg){kind=link}
Aggressiveness
There are mainly three patterns of aggressiveness, based mainly the cohesion of cancer cells:
| Low-level aggressive pattern | Moderately aggressive pattern | Highly aggressive pattern |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
![Fibroepitheliomatous pattern (anastomosing basaloid epithelial strands enclosing round islands of fibrous stroma)[6]](/index.php?title=Special:Upload&wpDestFile=Micrograph_of_basal-cell_carcinoma_with_fibroepitheliomatous_pattern.jpg){kind=link}
Optionally: Further subtyping
At least, attempt to suggest or exclude morpheaform (also known as "cicatricial" or "morphoeic") basal-cell carcinoma, since it is more aggressive.
- Morpheaform basal-cell carcinoma
It has narrow strands and nests of basaloid cells, surrounded by dense sclerotic stroma.[7]
- Nodular basal-cell carcinoma
Nodular basal-cell carcinoma (also known as "classic basal-cell carcinoma") accounts for 50% of all BCC.[4]
It has aggregates of basaloid cells with well-defined borders, showing:[4]
![Palisading[4]](/index.php?title=Special:Upload&wpDestFile=Palisading_in_basal_cell_cancer.jpg){kind=link}
![One or more clefts[4]](/index.php?title=Special:Upload&wpDestFile=Nodular_basal_cell_cancer_with_cleft.jpg){kind=link}
Central necrosis with eosinophilic, granular features may be also present, as well as mucin. The heavy aggregates of mucin determine a cystic structure. Calcification may be also present, especially in long-standing lesions.[4] Mitotic activity is usually not so evident, but a high mitotic rate may be present in more aggressive lesions.[4] Adenoidal BCC can be classified as a variant of the nodular subtype, characterized by basaloid cells with a reticulated configuration extending into the dermis.[4]
- Further information: Evaluation of tumors
Reporting
- Aggressiveness pattern if possible
- Whether the excision is radical
Optionally, subtype of basal-cell carcinoma
See also: General notes on reporting
Notes
- ↑ Desmoplastic tricoepithelioma is particularly similar to basal-cell carcinoma.
- ↑ For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Patholines:Authorship for details.
- ↑ The excision example shows a superficial basal cell carcinoma.
Main page
References
- ↑ Katarzyna Lundmark, Krynitz, Ismini Vassilaki, Lena Mölne, Annika Ternesten Bratel. Handläggning av hudprover – provtagningsanvisningar, utskärningsprinciper och snittning (Handling of skin samples - Instructions for sampling, cutting and incision. KVAST (Swedish Society of Pathology). Retrieved on 2019-09-09.
- ↑ There are many variants for the processing of skin excisions. These examples use aspects from the following sources:
- . Handläggning av hudprover – provtagningsanvisningar, utskärningsprinciper och snittning (Handling of skin samples - sampling instructions, cutting principles and incision. Swedish Society of Pathology.
- For number of slices and coverage of lesions, depending on size. - Monica Dahlgren, Janne Malina, Anna Måsbäck, Otto Ljungberg. Stora utskärningen. KVAST (Swedish Society of Pathology). Retrieved on 2019-09-26.
- For slices towards the pointy ends to determine radicality, which can be parallel to the slices through the lesions (shown), or as longitudinal slices that go through each pointy end. - . Dermatopathology Grossing Guidelines. University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved on 2019-10-23.
- For microtomy of the most central side at the lesion - "The principles of mohs micrographic surgery for cutaneous neoplasia
- With a "standard histologic examination" that, in addition to the lesion, only includes one section from each side along the longest diameter of the specimen.
- It also shows an example of circular coverage, with equal coverage distance in all four directions.
- The entire specimen may be submitted if the risk of malignancy is high. - . Handläggning av hudprover – provtagningsanvisningar, utskärningsprinciper och snittning (Handling of skin samples - sampling instructions, cutting principles and incision. Swedish Society of Pathology.
- ↑ Robert S Bader. Which histologic findings are characteristic of basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?. Medscape. Updated: Feb 21, 2019
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Paolino, Giovanni; Donati, Michele; Didona, Dario; Mercuri, Santo; Cantisani, Carmen (2017). "Histology of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: An Update ". Biomedicines 5 (4): 71. doi:. ISSN 2227-9059.
- ↑ Inskip, Mike; Magee, Jill (2015). "Microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the cheek—a case report with dermatoscopy and dermatopathology ". Dermatology Practical & Conceptual 5 (1). doi:. ISSN 21609381.
- ↑ Yonan, Yousif; Maly, Connor; DiCaudo, David; Mangold, Aaron; Pittelkow, Mark; Swanson, David (2019). "Dermoscopic Description of Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus with Negative Network ". Dermatology Practical & Conceptual: 246–247. doi:. ISSN 2160-9381. Creative Commons Attribution License
- ↑ East, Ellen; Fullen, Douglas R.; Arps, David; Patel, Rajiv M.; Palanisamy, Nallasivam; Carskadon, Shannon; Harms, Paul W. (2016). "Morpheaform Basal Cell Carcinomas With Areas of Predominantly Single-Cell Pattern of Infiltration ". The American Journal of Dermatopathology 38 (10): 744–750. doi:. ISSN 0193-1091.
Image sources