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Basal Cell Carcinoma

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Dermatology in Public Health Environments

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most incident type of skin cancer, associated etiologically to chronic sun exposure and genetic predisposition. The classical clinical presentation of BCC is a slow-growing pearly papule that can progress to nodules, showing telangiectatic vessels. Different clinical and histologic subtypes are described, which recognition is of great importance apropriate staging and therapeutic decision aiming oncologic cure.

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Abbreviations

BCC:

Basal cell carcinoma

C&E:

Curettage and electrodessication

EMA:

European Medicines Agency

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

GLI:

Glioma-associated

HH:

Hedgehog

HPI:

Hedgehog pathway inhibitors

MAL/PDT:

Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy

MAY:

Multiple aggregated yellow-white

MMS:

Mohs micrographic surgery

NBCC:

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma

NCCN:

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

SCC:

Squamous cell carcinoma

SMO:

Smoothened

SSE:

Standard surgical excision

UV:

Ultraviolet

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Glossary

Confocal microscopy

Noninvasive imaging technique that enables in vivo visualization of the skin structure in real time.

Dermoscopy

Noninvasive diagnostic technique for the in vivo observation of skin lesions with a dermatoscope, allowing magnification of the lesion.

Gorlin’s syndrome

Also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, it is characterized by developmental anomalies, such as odontogenic keratocysts of the mandible, bifid ribs, palmoplantar pits and tumors, and especially multiple BCCs.

Mohs micrographic surgery

A microscopically controlled surgery used to treat different types of skin cancer, developed in 1938 by Frederic Mohs.

Optical coherence tomography

Noninvasive imaging examination that uses light waves to take cross-sectional pictures of the skin structure.

Photodynamic therapy

Treatment that uses a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent that will be absorbed by the target cell, and a particular type of light that will react with the photosensitizer and cause cellular death.

PTCH1, patched 1 gene

This gene encodes the protein receptor for the sonic hedgehog, a molecule implicated in the formation of embryonic structures and in tumorigenesis. Mutations of this gene have been associated with basal cell nevus syndrome and sporadic BCC.

Telangiectasias

Dilated capillaries that appear clinically as red linear vessels with spidery appearance on the surface of the skin.

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Bertolini, W., Tarlé, R.G., Biasi, L.J., Gadens, G.A. (2023). Basal Cell Carcinoma. In: Rangel Bonamigo, R. (eds) Dermatology in Public Health Environments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13505-7_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13505-7_15

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