A 13-Year Retrospective Study of Basal Cell Carcinoma in a Canadian Dermatology Practice: A Comparison Between Anatomical Location and Histopathologic Subtypes. Issue 3 (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rivers, Jason K.; Mistry, Bhavik D.; Hung, Tawny; Vostretsova, Kateryna; Mistry, Nisha
• Is Part Of: Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery. Volume 20:Issue 3(2016:May/Jun.)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 240
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: dermatology -- cancer -- pathology; Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Canada -- Periodicals; Skin -- Surgery -- Canada -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1177/1203475415620396
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1203-4754

Abstract

Background: It is unknown whether the histologic subtypes of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) arise from a common progenitor cell or whether other factors play a role in their development. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the different BCC histopathologic subtypes and anatomical distribution of BCCs in a Canadian dermatology practice. Methods: The charts of all patients diagnosed with BCC between 1993 and 2005 from a single private dermatology practice in Vancouver, Canada, were reviewed. Descriptive data analysis was undertaken to look at the distribution of histologic subtypes based on age, gender, and anatomical location. Results: Nodular BCCs accounted for 58% of all tumors. Sixty-six percent of these were situated on the head/neck (odds ratio [OR] = 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-4.3, P < .0001). Infiltrative (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.5-4.1, P = .0003) and superficial BCCs were more common in women (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 2.5-5.7, P < .0001), affected the trunk (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2.1-4.9, P < .0001), and appeared in younger individuals (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2-2.7, P = .004). Conclusion: Our results show a preference of distinct BCC subtypes for certain anatomical locations.