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Pigmented basal cell carcinoma
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Pigmented basal cell carcinoma

Contributors: Yevgeniy Balagula MD, Susan Burgin MD, Gaurav Singh MD, MPH, William M. Lin MD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Sarah Hocker DO
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in humans and the most common cancer of the skin. Two million Americans are diagnosed with BCC every year. It is a neoplasm of basal keratinocytes that is found more frequently in men than women. Rates of BCC have been increasing over the last several decades, particularly in young women. BCCs can be seen at almost any age. Nonetheless, the malignancy has greater incidence in older individuals, with a median age at diagnosis of 68 years.

The greatest risk factor contributing to the development of BCCs is sun exposure, and people with light skin phototypes are at higher risk. Intermittent sun exposure is more closely associated with the development of BCCs than cumulative ultraviolet exposure.

There are many subtypes of BCC, including nodular, superficial, infundibulocystic, fibroepithelial, morpheaform (sclerosing, desmoplastic), infiltrative, micronodular, and basosquamous. Accumulation of melanin and melanophages in the BCC tumor nodules gives rise to clinically pigmented BCCs. Pigmented BCCs account for approximately 6%-7% of nodular, superficial, and micronodular subtypes. They can occur in any location but are most commonly found on the head and neck. They comprise more than 50% of all BCCs in individuals with intermediate and darker skin colors. Pigmented BCCs are observed twice as frequently in Hispanic patients as compared to White patients.

Other risk factors for BCCs include environmental exposure (ie, ionizing radiation, indoor tanning, chemicals such as arsenic, psoralen plus UVA, and coal tar), phenotype (freckling, red hair, light skin that always burns and never tans), immunosuppression such as organ transplantation (which results in a 5-10 times higher risk of BCCs than the general population), and various genetic syndromes including xeroderma pigmentosum, oculocutaneous albinism, Muir-Torre syndrome, basal cell nevus syndrome (Gorlin syndrome), Rombo syndrome, and Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome. The gene most frequently altered in BCCs is the PTCH1 gene, followed by the TP53 gene.

Although BCCs are almost never fatal, local tissue destruction and disfiguration do occur. The metastasis rate is approximately 1 in 35 000. Metastasis is rare and typically occurs through perineural spread, lymph node metastasis, and then lung / bone metastasis.

Codes

ICD10CM:
C44.91 – Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
403909004 – Pigmented basal cell carcinoma

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Last Reviewed:08/11/2021
Last Updated:01/29/2023
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Patient Information for Pigmented basal cell carcinoma
Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. Pigmented BCC is the most common type among people of African, Hispanic, and Asian descent who are in their 50s. It can occur on any body location, but is often found on the head and neck.

Pigmented BCC can appear as a brown, blue, or black bump or spot with an irregular border and possible color variations (including clear). It may also contain varicose veins.

Who’s At Risk

You are more at risk for any type of BCC if you have:
  • A lighter skin type
  • A history of sun exposure 
  • Advanced age
  • Immunosuppression
  • A personal history of skin cancer (other than melanoma)
There are also certain hereditary conditions associated with BCC.

Signs & Symptoms

Pigmented BCC looks like a brown, blue, or black raised or flat spot with a jagged border and possible color variation. It is found on sun-exposed areas. Sometimes, the BCC lesion may have spider veins, translucency, a rolled / rounded edge, or a depressed center.

Self-Care Guidelines

To prevent skin cancer, avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends liberal use of sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Since BCC tends to recur, it is important to self-examine your skin for new spots or any changes to existing spots.

When to Seek Medical Care

Consult your doctor if you have:
  • A sore that won't heal
  • A scar that enlarges, turns red, scaly, or crusted, or has spider veins
  • A new raised spot within a scar

Treatments

A physician will examine your skin tissue to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for any BCC widely varies based on the size and location of the lesion.

Your tumor will most likely be removed surgically. Sometimes, tumors can be removed using extremely cold liquid nitrogen.

More serious pigmented BCCs may require radiation to kill cancer cells that remain.

Small BCCs that are not widespread can sometimes be treated with a topical drug called imiquimod.
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Pigmented basal cell carcinoma
A medical illustration showing key findings of Pigmented basal cell carcinoma : Sun-exposed distribution
Clinical image of Pigmented basal cell carcinoma - imageId=547363. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A close-up of a pink plaque with overlying scale and brown and gray borders.'
A close-up of a pink plaque with overlying scale and brown and gray borders.
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.