Clinical features of basal cell carcinoma according to histological subtype

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a slow-growing, locally invasive malignant epidermal skin tumor. Several studies of differences in age, site distribution and male to female ratio have been conducted among different histological subtypes of BCC. Objective: We analyzed the five major subtypes of BCC with regard to gender, age, and anatomical distribution. Methods: We retrospectively included 246 cases of BCC diagnosed from January 2000 to March 2011. The diagnoses and classifications of histopathological subtypes (nodular, superficial, micronodular, infiltrative, or morphemic) of BCC were confirmed by three dermatologists. Gender, age at diagnosis, and location were recorded and analyzed by histopathological subtypes. Results: We recorded 246 cases (M : F=I : 1.08) with a mean age of 64.0 years. Of the BCCs, 61.0% were nodular, 15.4% were superficial, 11.4% were micronodular, 10.2% were infiltrative, and 2.0% were morpheic. The nodular subtype was diagnosed at a mean age of 64.9 years, whereas the superficial subtype was diagnosed at an earlier age (60.3 years) and more frequently occurred in women (M : F=1 : 1.5) than the nodular subtype. Compared with the nodular subtype (4%), the superficial subtype (26.3%) occurred more frequently in the trunk (p-value< 0.0001). Conclusion: The results showed differences in anatomical distribution, gender, and mean age according to histological subtypes. Superficial BCC occurred more commonly on the trunk, more often in women, and was seen in younger patients than that of the nodular subtype.