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Features of Baxter et al of a High-Risk Basal Cell Carcinoma on the Face

Description

Basal cell carcinomas are often an slow-growing tumor with an excellent prognosis if completely excised. However, some basal cell carcinomas are aggressive and can be fatal for the patient. Baxter et al listed a number of features associated with a high-risk basal cell carcinoma on the face. The authors are from Nottingham University Hospitals in England.


 

Findings that may identify a high-risk basal cell carcinoma:

(1) The lesion is large (diameter is > 2 cm) or the lesion has been neglected.

(2) The location is in the facial “H” zone (periocular, central face on and around the nose, angle of the jaw, auricular and preauricular, over the temples, lateral forehead).

(3) The edges are poorly defined.

(4) The histologic subtype is associated with aggressive growth (morphoeic, etc).

(5) There is perivascular and/or perineural invasion.

(6) The tumor is recurrent or was incompletely excised.

(7) The patient is immunocompromised (transplant recipient, etc).

 


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