Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Basel cell carcinoma is the most common locally invasive skin cancer in human. The diagnoses
depend on the clinical features and histopathological examination. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive
tool which allows better visualization of the subsurface structures. Dermoscopy can be used as an
aid in the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the benefit of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of the basal cell carcinoma and describe
features of both pigmented and non-pigmented basal cell carcinoma.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This is a cross sectional study of twenty five patient with suspected basal cell carcinoma. It was
conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from
April 2016 to August 2017. Twenty five patients with 25 lesions of basal cell carcinoma were
enrolled. History , clinical examination and photos were taken for each lesion, then dermoscopcial
evaluation for each lesion was done using fotofinder handyscope mounted on iphone6s with
a standardized dermoscopical image with 10x magnification and a polarized mode of light. Photos
were then evaluated and saved. Finally, the data was analyzed.
RESULTS:
According to the visualized pictures by dermoscopy the features of basal cell carcinoma included
leaf - like area in (50%) of lesions followed by multiple blue - grey nests in (50%) of lesions in
pigmented basal cell carcinoma, while ulceration in (100%), arborizing blood vessel in (83%)in nonpigmented
basal cell carcinoma. In mixed lesions shiny white to red structureless and milky pink
area in (86%), large blue - grey ovoid nest in (71%) were commonly seen. All histopathological
reports were basal cell carcinoma.
CONCLUSION:
Dermoscopy is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. There are specific findings
in pigmented and non-pigmented basal cell carcinoma.