Cancers 2025, 17(3), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030493 (registering DOI) - 1 Feb 2025
Abstract
Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin tumor. While rarely fatal, it can cause local tissue damage. Part I of the review summarizes the dermoscopic features of BCC and the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of BCC.
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Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin tumor. While rarely fatal, it can cause local tissue damage. Part I of the review summarizes the dermoscopic features of BCC and the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of BCC. Methods: A search of the PubMed database was performed for studies reporting on the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy or dermoscopic findings in BCC, either pigmented or non-pigmented, located anywhere on the body, of any histopathologic subtype, size and at any age of onset. Results: BCC was found to present with a wide range of dermoscopic features, including white structures (shiny white lines, shiny white areas, rosettes), yellow structures (milia-like cysts, yellow lobular-like structures), multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules), blue structures (blue ovoid nests), vascular structures (arborizing vessels, short fine telangiectasias), multiple small erosions/ulcerations, features of regression (pepper-like structures, white scar-like areas) and pigmented structures (spoke-wheel areas, maple leaf-like areas (MLLAs), blue/gray dots). Dermoscopy showed a sensitivity of 67.6–98.6% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85.9–97% in identifying BCC. The physician’s experience and training improve the accuracy, however, BCCs on the trunk and extremities, particularly of superficial subtypes, may still constitute a challenge. Conclusions: Dermoscopy, especially when performed by a trained physician, increases the accuracy of early BCC detection.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dermoscopy in Skin Cancer)
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<p>PRISMA flow chart showing the screening process (available also: Wojtowicz I et al. [<a href="#B10-cancers-17-00493" class="html-bibr">10</a>]).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Dermoscopy images of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) with shiny white lines (blue arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with shiny white blotches (yellow arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with milia-like cysts (MLCs) (green arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with yellow lobular-like structures (red arrows and red circle).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules) (yellow circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with arborizing vessels (yellow arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with short fine telangiectasias (green arrows and circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple small erosions/ulcerations (red arrowheads).</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with bluish features of regression called “blue areas” or “blue hue” (yellow circles) and “pepper-like structures” (green circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with white/reddish features of regression called “white scar-like areas”, “white areas” or “milky way areas” (red circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with spoke-wheel areas (yellow arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 13
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with maple leaf-like areas—MLLAs (blue arrowheads).</p> Full article ">Figure 14
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with blue-gray ovoid nests (blue arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 15
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with concentric structures (yellow circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 16
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple blue/gray globules (red circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 17
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple in-focus blue/gray dots (green circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 18
<p>Dermoscopy image of BCC with brown homogeneous blotches (BHB) (yellow circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 19
<p>Dermoscopy image of BCC with large blue-gray structureless areas (yellow arrowhead).</p> Full article ">Figure 20
<p>Dermoscopy image of BCC with semitranslucent areas (red circle).</p> Full article ">
<p>PRISMA flow chart showing the screening process (available also: Wojtowicz I et al. [<a href="#B10-cancers-17-00493" class="html-bibr">10</a>]).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Dermoscopy images of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) with shiny white lines (blue arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with shiny white blotches (yellow arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with milia-like cysts (MLCs) (green arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with yellow lobular-like structures (red arrows and red circle).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple aggregated yellow-white globules (MAY globules) (yellow circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with arborizing vessels (yellow arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with short fine telangiectasias (green arrows and circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple small erosions/ulcerations (red arrowheads).</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with bluish features of regression called “blue areas” or “blue hue” (yellow circles) and “pepper-like structures” (green circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with white/reddish features of regression called “white scar-like areas”, “white areas” or “milky way areas” (red circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with spoke-wheel areas (yellow arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 13
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with maple leaf-like areas—MLLAs (blue arrowheads).</p> Full article ">Figure 14
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with blue-gray ovoid nests (blue arrows).</p> Full article ">Figure 15
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with concentric structures (yellow circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 16
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple blue/gray globules (red circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 17
<p>Dermoscopy images of BCCs with multiple in-focus blue/gray dots (green circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 18
<p>Dermoscopy image of BCC with brown homogeneous blotches (BHB) (yellow circles).</p> Full article ">Figure 19
<p>Dermoscopy image of BCC with large blue-gray structureless areas (yellow arrowhead).</p> Full article ">Figure 20
<p>Dermoscopy image of BCC with semitranslucent areas (red circle).</p> Full article ">
