Basal cell carcinoma involving coloured skin – a case series
Author: Nirodha Jayawickrema
Base Hospital / Institution: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
ePoster presentation
Abstract ID: 24-528
Purpose
To report a case series of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) involving skin of colour
Methods
A retrospective, two year, single centre, clinical review of patients with Fitzpatrick V skin type who were histologically diagnosed with periocular BCC are included. Histopathological diagnosis, Fitzpatrick skin type, area of involvement were recorded among other demographic data
Results
Patient 1, 74 year old female with Fitzpatrick V type skin, referred for a right upper lid cyst of Zeiss. Examination revealed another flat blue/black lesion with mild central ulceration in right lower lid margin. This was not noticed by the patient as it was asymptomatic. Histopathological analysis of the lower lid lesion was a nodular BCC. which was managed with Mohs micrographic surgery, secondary reconstruction. Patient 2, 43 year old male with Fitzpatrick V type skin, lived in a tropical country until moving to the United Kingdom 15 years back, a farmer by profession. A lesion involving the right upper cheek first developed 7 years back. On referral he had multiple pigmented and ulcerated lesions with raw telangiectatic skin in between over a wide area also involving the right lower lid and lateral canthus. Histopathological analysis following incisional biopsy revealed focally infiltrative BCC. Following radiological assessment to evaluate the level of infiltration, he was managed with wide local excision and secondary reconstruction. Both patients were assessed and excluded for immunosuppressive status.
Conclusion
Risk factors of BCC include intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation, family history of other skin cancers, immunosuppressive status, irradiation or exposure to toxic substances. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), and specifically BCC has skin type as another important risk factor and specifically Fitzpatrick type I, II. Hence it is commonly presumed that there is no or very low risk in developing BCC among individuals with skin of colour due to the skin typing. This presumption leads to lesser importance given to sun protection among individuals with coloured skin and delays in diagnosis leading to significant morbidity.
Additional Authors
| First name | Last name | Base Hospital / Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Emma | Samia-Aly | Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom |
