Musculoskeletal and Skin Pathology for Medical II Students

Lab 2e Basal Cell Carcinoma (01000-80903)

Merriam Webster Online Medical Dictionary

The most common cutaneous malignancy, basal cell carcinoma, tends to arise in sun-exposed skin of adults, although not uncommonly it develops in areas not apt to receive the most intense ultraviolet exposure, such as the medial canthi, nasolabial fold and postauricular sulcus. These may represent embryonic closure lines where primordial germ cells reside and can be induced to proliferate by various carcinogenic stimuli. The classic basal cell carcinoma has a central ulceration, a pearly, rolled border, and telangiectasis. However, there are other variants that can resemble dermatitis (superficial basal cell carcinoma), melanoma (pigmented basal cell carcinoma), or morphea (sclerotic or morphea basal cell carcinoma). Treatments include excisional surgery, electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, x-ray therapy, and (especially for difficult or recurrent lesions) MOHS (histologically controlled) micrographic surgery. Cure rates are excellent with all of these methods.

Slides D17 & D18 | Slide D19

Slide D19 The specimen shows the surface ulceration and the clusters of basal cells with the palisading arrangement of the outer cells of the nests.

Digital Legends for Labs/Cases
Lab 1
1a | 1b | 1c | 1d | 1e | 1f | 1g
Gross & Radiographs
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h 
Lab 2
2a | 2b | 2c | 2d | 2e | 2f

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Updated August 28, 2007