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How to spot a basosquamous carcinoma: a study on demographics, clinical-dermatoscopic features and histopathological correlations Volume 31, issue 6, November-December 2021

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Tables

Authors
1 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
2 State Clinic of Dermatology, Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Thessaloniki, Greece
3 2nd Department of Pathology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
4 First Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
5 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
6 Pathology Laboratory, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
7 Department of Biomedical Sciences, International Hellenic University, Alexandrian Campus, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Background

Basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is a relatively rare type of neoplasm originating from basal cell carcinoma with features of squamous differentiation. BSC has an aggressive local behaviour with a tendency for recurrence and a less frequent metastatic potential

Objectives

The primary objective was to describe the dermatoscopic features of the tumour. Secondary goals were to detect the morphological features of the tumour along with patients’ characteristics and to evaluate possible dermatoscopic and histopathological correlations

Materials & Methods

Twenty-two patients with 25 BSCs were enrolled. All tumours were surgically excised and diagnosis was based on histopathology. Clinical and dermatoscopic images were evaluated by two investigators based on pre-defined criteria, and a statistical analysis was performed

Results

The median age of the patients was 78 years old (range: 52-88) and the male/female ratio was 2.14. All patients reported history of either occupational (50%) or recreational (50%) intensive sun exposure and 72.73% had signs of actinic keratosis. The most common anatomical site of the tumours was the head/neck area (72%). Clinically, nodular (64%), ulcerated (88%) and non-pigmented (76%) lesions prevailed. Dermatoscopically, 92% had prominent vasculature and monomorphous arborizing vessels with a diffuse arrangement, representing the most frequently observed type. Ulceration (88%), SCC dermatoscopic criteria (56%), white strands/blotches (56%) and features of pigmentation (40%) were also detected

Conclusion

We suggest that the most common prototype of BSC is an ulcerated, facial nodule in elderly males with photo-damaged skin, dermatoscopically displaying combined features of mostly nodular BCC and, to a less extent, SCC