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Single versus Multiple Level Sectioning for the Subtyping of Basal-Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The histological subtype of basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) is often based on a punch biopsy; only a small part is evaluated, possibly leading to misclassification. Consensus on the optimal approach to process punch biopsies is lacking, though accurate subtyping is important for appropriate treatment. OBJECTIVE:The aim is to investigate whether evaluating 4 levels of a punch biopsy instead of 1 or 2 levels leads to more accurate subtyping of BCC. METHODS:In a retrospective study we evaluated 87 punch biopsies of histologically confirmed BCCs. The primary outcome was the proportion of "more aggressive" BCCs (nonsuperficial vs. superficial, infiltrative vs. nodular subtype) that was missed by evaluation on 1 or 2 levels, using 4-level diagnosis as reference standard. RESULTS:Eighty-five cases were available for analysis. Subtyping based on 1 level resulted in discrepancies with 4-level diagnosis in 16.5% of all cases. Underdiagnosis occurred in 14 of 58 nonsuperficial BCCs (24.1%, 95% CI: 13.9-37.2). Seven of 38 nodular BCCs (18.4%, 95% CI: 7.74-34.3) were diagnosed as superficial in 1 level, and 7 of 20 infiltrative BCCs (35%, 95% CI: 15.4-59.2) were diagnosed as superficial (n = 2) or nodular (n = 5) in 1 level. CONCLUSION:In order to maximize correct subtyping and plan appropriate treatment, we advise to evaluate at least 2, but preferably more, levels of a punch biopsy to determine the BCC subtype.

SUBMITTER: van Delft LCJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7257255 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Single versus Multiple Level Sectioning for the Subtyping of Basal-Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

van Delft Lieke C J LCJ Nelemans Patty J PJ Abdul Hamid Myrurgia M Kelleners-Smeets Nicole W J NWJ

Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 20191022 3

<h4>Background</h4>The histological subtype of basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) is often based on a punch biopsy; only a small part is evaluated, possibly leading to misclassification. Consensus on the optimal approach to process punch biopsies is lacking, though accurate subtyping is important for appropriate treatment.<h4>Objective</h4>The aim is to investigate whether evaluating 4 levels of a punch biopsy instead of 1 or 2 levels leads to more accurate subtyping of BCC.<h4>Methods</h4>In a retrospe ...[more]

PMID: 31639798

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Project description:IntroductionBecause of different therapeutic regimens for superficial and non-superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), accurate histopathological examination of a punch biopsy to determine its subtype is essential. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the additional yield of a more extensive step-section method to that of a standard histologic examination at 4 levels.Material and methodsData for this prospective study was obtained from the Pathology department of a Dutch tertiary hospital. Biopsy specimens of subsequent patients from March 2019 to June 2020 were sectioned to 8-levels instead of the regular 4-levels. Only patients with a superficial BCC subtype in the first 4-levels of sectioning were included (n = 100). After 8-level sectioning, it was recorded in which level (5-8) a more aggressive BCC component was found (i.e. nodular, infiltrative, or micronodular). Patients were followed-up to evaluate further treatment, and in case of excision, the excision specimen was reviewed to determine the BCC subtype. A logistic regression was performed to assess characteristics associated with a more aggressive BCC component in levels 5-8.ResultsIn 14 patients (14%) a more aggressive component was found in levels 5-8, all with a nodular component. Thirteen of these patients underwent excision, confirming a more aggressive BCC subtype. Of the 86 patients that had no deeper BCC component in levels 5-8, 26 (30.2%) underwent excision; In 4 patients no residual BCC was found, in 15 patients superficial BCC, and in 7 a more aggressive BCC subtype (1 nodular and 6 a combination of superficial/nodular/infiltrative). In multivariable analysis, head&neck localization was associated with finding a more aggressive BCC subtype in levels 5-8 (OR 6.41 (95%CI 1.56-26.30), p = 0.01)).ConclusionsMore extensive sectioning of superficial BCC biopsy specimens, especially in the head&neck area, leads to a more accurate BCC subtype diagnosis requiring different clinical management strategies.

Project description:Background Recurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) after complete surgical excision is rarely reported. Risk factors for this negative outcome are not well-studied. We present the clinical and histological features of recurrent BCCs in our institution. Methods All patients between January 2016 to December 2020 whose primary BCCs were excised with free surgical margins according to the histopathology report, and represented later with local recurrence were included. The medical files were retrieved to record patient's age, sex, sun exposure, tumor site, size, clinical diagnosis, histopathology variant of primary lesion, least free margin distance of the original lesion, and recurrence time. Results Eighteen patients (11 males and 7 females ranged between 50 and 75 years old) fulfilled the inclusion criteria; all of their lesions were located in head and neck regions. The mean recurrence time was 31.2 months (11–86) and the histological variant was the same of primary in 17/18 patients. Primary tumors showed nodular subtype in 77.8% of patients and 55.6% of the primary tumors were less than 15 mm in diameter. Sun exposure history was given by 77.8% of patients while the rest of patients had non-significant exposure. All recurrent excised lesions were of free margin less than 4 mm. Conclusion We found that the primary tumors of all studied recurrent BCCs were excised with surgical margins less than 4 mm. We recommend follow up for all excised BCCs either those of low or high risk histological variants. Tumor size does not appear a considerable risk factor for local recurrence. Highlights • We report recurrent BCCs in 18 patients, all were located in head and neck region.• Sun exposure history was given by 77.8% of patients while the rest of patients gave a negative history of sun exposure.• Nodular histological subtype was seen in 77.8% of patients.• All primary tumors were excised by general or plastic surgeons with a surgical margin less than 4 mm.

Project description:Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are the most common form of human skin cancer. The majority of NMSC are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with a BCC:SCC incidence ratio of 4:1 in immunocompetent patients. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are transmembrane glycoproteins that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns, against which they activate the innate immune response and initiate the adaptive immune response. Genetic variations of these receptors can alter the immune system and are involved in evolution and susceptibility of various diseases, including cancer. Imiquimod, an agonist of TLR7, is applied topically in the treatment of premalignant and malignant skin disorders, in particular BCC. The high efficacy of this TLR7 agonist toward BCC supports a possible role of this receptor in the induction of BCC and, consequently, polymorphisms of this receptor could be responsible for a greater or lesser susceptibility to BCC. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the presence of the functional TLR7 rs179008/Gln11Leu promoter polymorphism conferred an increased susceptibility to BCC. A case-control study with 177 BCC cases and 158 controls was performed to highlight the possible association between this polymorphism and the susceptibility to BCC. As the TLR7 gene is localized on chromosome X, the allelic frequency of this polymorphism was analyzed separately in males and females. The analysis of the distribution of frequencies of wild-type TLR7 and variant TLR7 carrying the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs179008 in patients with BCC and healthy subjects did not reveal any statistically significant difference between cases and controls. This study does not suggest the involvement of the SNP rs179008 of TLR7 in the susceptibility to BCC, but cannot exclude a role for TLR7 in BCC carcinogenesis considering the high efficacy of the TLR7 agonist, imiquimod, in the treatment of this neoplastic disorder.

Dataset Information

Single versus Multiple Level Sectioning for the Subtyping of Basal-Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Publications

Single versus Multiple Level Sectioning for the Subtyping of Basal-Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

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