Dermoscopy in Basal Cell Carcinoma: An Updated Review

Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed). 2021 Apr;112(4):330-338. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2020.11.011. Epub 2020 Nov 28.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive technique that has been demonstrated to improve diagnostic accuracy in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The first dermoscopic model for the diagnosis of BCC, based mainly on the identification of pigmented structures, was described by Menzies et al., and since then dermoscopy has generated an abundance of literature useful to routine clinical practice. From a practical perspective, dermoscopic structures associated with BCC can be classified as pigmented, vascular, or nonpigmented/nonvascular. One of the most recent applications of dermoscopy in BCC is as an aid to predicting histologic subtype and essentially differentiating between superficial and nonsuperficial BCC. It can also, however, help raise suspicion of more aggressive variants with a higher risk of recurrence. A thorough dermoscopic examination during follow-up of patients with actinic damage or a history of multiple BCCs can facilitate the detection of very incipient lesions and significantly impact treatment and prognosis.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Carcinoma basocelular; Cáncer cutáneo; Dermatoscopia; Dermatoscopy; Skin cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / diagnostic imaging
  • Dermoscopy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging