Applicability of dermoscopy for evaluation of patients' response to nonablative therapies for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma.
Title | Applicability of dermoscopy for evaluation of patients' response to nonablative therapies for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Apalla, Z., Lallas A., Tzellos T., Sidiropoulos T., Lefaki I., Trakatelli M., Sotiriou E., Lazaridou E., Evangelou G., Patsatsi A., Kyrgidis A., Stratigos A., Zalaudek I., Argenziano G., & Ioannides D. |
Journal | Br J Dermatol |
Volume | 170 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 809-15 |
Date Published | 2014 Apr |
ISSN | 1365-2133 |
Keywords | Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aminolevulinic Acid, Aminoquinolines, Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols, Carcinoma, Basal Cell, Dermoscopy, Humans, Imiquimod, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasm, Residual, Photochemotherapy, Photosensitizing Agents, Skin Neoplasms, Treatment Outcome |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Applicability of dermoscopy in evaluation of outcome and monitoring of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) after nonablative therapies has not been sufficiently assessed.OBJECTIVES: Certain dermoscopic criteria, namely pigmented structures, ulceration and arborizing vessels, have been suggested to predict the presence of residual disease [residual disease-associated dermoscopic criteria (RDADC)]. We aimed to assess this hypothesis.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Lesions exhibiting RDADC 3 months after treatment were biopsied and in the case of histopathological confirmation were excised. Lesions characterized by white/red structureless areas, superficial fine telangiectasias, or lacking any dermoscopic criterion, were monitored for 12 months.RESULTS: At the 3-month evaluation, one or more of the RDADC were detected in 25/98 (25·5%) sBCCs, in which histology confirmed tumour persistence. In 45 (61·6%) of the 73 remaining lesions, dermoscopy showed white/red structureless areas and/or superficial fine telangiectasias. Twenty-eight lacked any dermoscopic criterion of sBCC. The two latter groups entered follow-up. In total, disease recurred in 13 (17·8%) of the 73 lesions.CONCLUSIONS: RDADC accurately predict residual disease. Absence of dermoscopic criteria of sBCC safely predicts complete histopathological clearance. Detection of white/red structureless areas and/or superficial fine telangiectasias warrants close monitoring to recognize early recurrence. |
DOI | 10.1111/bjd.12749 |
Alternate Journal | Br J Dermatol |
PubMed ID | 24283541 |