Rapid cytological diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma of the skin.

Cytological diagnosis in a series of 153 skin lesions is presented. The diagnosis in each case has been compared with the clinical assessment and, where available, the biopsy result (85 lesions). Of 131 basal cell carcinomas, a cytological diagnosis was possible in 124 while biopsyl failed to identify two of the 73 lesions studied. A correct cytological diagnosis was made in five squamous cell carcinomas and in one malignant melanoma. Basal cell papillomas and solar keratoses were not accurately identified. We thus conclude that with this very simple, rapid, and inexpensive method a clinical diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma is reliably confirmed with advantages for both the clinic and the laboratory.     

Specific characteristics of skin basal cell carcinoma invasion

Histological, electron-microscopic and immunomorphologic studies were made in 30 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin. In the immunomorphological study the antibodies to pankeratin, to keratins of N8, 17 (K N8, K N17) and to laminin were used. Two microscopical types of BCC growth distinguished by their clinical manifestations were revealed: compact-nodulous and diffuse-infiltrative. In BCC with diffuse-infiltrative type of growth the basement membrane was markedly fragmentated or completely absent in some regions. This indicates aggressive character of these tumors. This type of BCC growth was characterized by pronounced expression of K N8. The expression of K N17 was revealed in all BCCs.     

Elemental changes in skin from patients with basal cell carcinoma

Intracellular ionic shifts have been described in connection with normal and abnormal cell proliferation. This study was conducted to determine the elemental composition of a cell tumor classified as basal cell carcinoma in skin. The biopsies were taken from 10 patients. Control biopsies were taken from the non-affected skin from the same patients. Cryosections were cut and attached to carbon specimen holders. After freeze drying the sections were analyzed by X-ray microanalysis in a scanning microscope. The X-ray microanalytical results showed that the content of magnesium, phosphorus and potassium was significantly higher in the cancer cells than in the control cells (p < 0.05). The content of sodium, chlorine, calcium and sulfur was similar in both affected and unaffected cells. We conclude from these data that basal cell carcinoma has a characteristic elemental composition. It is possible that increased potassium and magnesium levels have a stimulatory effect on this tumor type, in contrast to other types of cancer cells where elevated sodium and chlorine and lowered potassium levels have frequently been found.     

Myoepithelial differentiation of basal cell carcinoma and metatypic skin cancer

Basal cell carcinoma and metatypic skin cancer were studied using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. In basal cell carcinoma morphea-type tumors and in metatypic skin cancer tumor cells contained contractile proteins, specifically, α-actin and smooth muscle myosin. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 6, pp. 651–653, June, 1994 Presented by N. K. Permyakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

The histopathology of the skin basal cell carcinoma with areas of intermediate differentiation. A metatypical carcinoma?

The histopathology of the skin basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) with areas of intermediate differentiation (ID) has been investigated. In a series of 127 BCCs, areas of ID were found in 28 tumors (22%), and also in an additional 10 cases of other series. These areas consisted of compact masses of cells without peripheral palisading, and with intermediate differentiation between basal and squamous cells. In comparison with the common undifferentiated BCCs, the BCCs with the ID areas may behave in a more aggressive fashion, since they displayed more precocious ulceration in small tumors (p less than 0.001), greater infiltrative features (p less than 0.001), more atypical cells (p less than 0.001) with increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and more mitoses (p less than 0.001). The relation of such basal cell carcinomas to the metatypical carcinoma of the skin was discussed. Metatypical carcinoma, however, has been poorly defined and thus has no general acceptance in the literature. The new definition of the basosquamous cell carcinoma and the presence of intermediate areas of differentiation in this tumor were emphasized, and it was suggested that metastatic basal cell carcinoma and metatypical carcinoma may be the same tumor.     

大蒜素对人皮肤基底细胞癌A431细胞的放疗增敏作用研究

目的 探讨大蒜素(Allicin)是否能增加人皮肤基底细胞癌A431细胞的放疗敏感性及其作用机制.方法 MTT法检测Allicin对A431细胞的生长抑制率,筛选出半数抑制浓度(IC50);将细胞分为对照组、照射组(IR组)、Allicin组和IR+Allicin组.采用流式细胞仪检细胞自噬水平.结果 MTT结果显示大蒜素作用A431细胞24、48、72 h后IC50分别为35.47、18.64、6.56 mmol/L(F =22.54、18.94和21.63,P＜0.05).和对照组相比,Allicin组和Allicin+ IR组A431细胞的自噬水平均增加(F=30.15、28.36,P＜0.05),以Allicin+ IR组升高最显著.结论 Allicin通过上调人皮肤基底细胞癌A431细胞的自噬水平来增加其放疗敏感性.     

Nonrandom karyotypic features in basal cell carcinomas of the skin.

Cytogenetic analysis of short-term cultured 44 basal cell carcinomas (BCC) revealed clonal karyotypic abnormalities in 38 tumors. Relatively complex karyotypes (at least four structural and/or numerical changes per clone) with unbalanced structural as well as numerical aberrations were found in eight (approximately 21%) of the BCC, while the remaining BCC (79%) had simple karyotypes (1 to 3 aberrations per clone). Numerical changes only were found in 16 tumors, 15 BCC displayed both numerical and structural aberrations, and the remaining 7 BCC showed only structural aberrations. Extensive intratumoral heterogeneity, in the form of cytogenetically unrelated clones, was found in 21 tumors, whereas related subclones were present in 10 tumors. In order to obtain an overall karyotypic picture in BCC, the findings of our previously published 25 BCC have been reviewed. Our combined data indicate that BCC are characterized by nonrandom karyotypic patterns. A large subset of BCC is characterized by nonrandom numerical changes, notably, +18, +X, +7, and +9. Structural rearrangements often affect chromosomes 1, 4, 2, 3, 9, 7, 16, and 17. A number of chromosomal bands are frequently involved, including 9q22, 1p32, 1p22, 1q11, 1q21, 2q11, 4q21, 4q31, 1p36, 2q37, 3q13, 7q11, 11p15, 16p13, 16q24, 17q21, and 20q13. When the genomic imbalance is assessed, it has been shown that several chromosome segments are repeatedly involved in losses, namely loss of the distal part of 6q, 13q, 4q, 1q, 8q, and 9p. A correlation analysis between the karyotypic patterns and the clinico-histopathologic parameters has been undertaken in the 44 BCC of the present series. The cytogenetic patterns show a significant correlation with tumor status (P=.025), that is, that cytogenetically more complex tumors are also those clinically the most aggressive. Also, the frequency of cytogenetically unrelated clones is significantly higher in recurrent BCC than that in primary lesions (P=.05). No clear-cut association has been found between the karyotypic patterns and histologic subtypes or tumor sites.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of metastatic basal cell carcinoma of the skin to the lung

Metastatic basal cell carcinomas of the skin are rare. We present the cytologic features of a metastatic basal cell carcinoma to the lung diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Cytologic examination revealed syncytial groups of relatively small cells with hyperchromatic, oval to spindle-shaped nuclei having high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios. Immunocytochemical studies performed on the cell block sections revealed the malignant cells to be positive for cytokeratin (AE1/3) and negative for neuroendocrine markers, [neuron specific enolase (NSE) and chromogranin (Phe-5)]. We reviewed the literature related to metastatic basal cell carcinoma of the skin and discuss risk factors and mechanisms of metastatic spread. In addition, a discussion of the other entities that can enter into the differential diagnosis is presented along with the role of ancillary studies. To the best of our knowledge, we believe this is the first case report of the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a basal cell carcinoma metastatic to the lung. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ultrastructural comparison of the interface between epithelium and stroma in basal cell carcinoma and control human skin.

Comparative ultrastructural studies of basal cell carcinomas, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses, and control nontumor skin from human patients demonstrate structural differences between invasive and noninvasive tumor cells. Compared to the other specimen groups, biopsies of basal cell carcinomas reveal a decrease in hemidesmosomes and an increase in actin-like microfilaments in cells at the margins of the tumors. Benign tumors, i.e., seborrheic keratoses and actinic keratoses, have hemidesmosome areas and microfilament contents resembling control nontumor skin. The most striking hemidesmosome areas and microfilament contents resembling control nontumor skin. The most striking increase in microfilaments is in the most infiltrative "morphea" variants of basal cell carcinoma. These findings, in the context of other published reports, suggest that increased microfilaments are related to enhanced motility of invasive carcinoma cells in vivo and that decreased hemidesmosomes may be related to loss of cell to substratum or "anchorage" dependence of growth in malignant cells.     

Oncogene interaction in basal cell carcinomas of human skin.

The expression of the p53 protein (p53) was compared with those of several oncogenes including c-fos (Fos), c-jun (Jun), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR1) using immunohistochemistry in frozen and paraffin-embedded sections of 25 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) to find out any correlation between p53 and oncogenes in the pathogenesis of human BCC. In normal skin, positive reactions were obtained for EGFR1 and Fos, while p53 and Jun were negative in all cases. In the lesions, EGFR1 was observed in all cases and p53 was positive in 9 of 25 (36%). Fos was expressed in 21 of 25 (84%) and four negative cases were all p53-positive; this negative correlation between p53 and Fos staining was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Jun was detected in 14 of 20 (70%) and no significant relationship was observed between the expression of Jun and Fos or p53. These data suggest the possibility of down regulation of Fos expression by high levels of p53 protein. Further work is necessary to determine the mechanism of this interaction.     

Clear cell basal cell carcinoma

We describe a case of clear cell basal cell carcinoma of the superficial type, presenting as a crusted eruption on the abdomen. Histological examination showed a solid proliferation of clear cells attached to the under-surface of an atrophied epidermis. In addition, distinct pagetoid infiltration was seen within the overlying epidermis. A focal connection between the clear cell portion and a deeper lying nodular basal cell carcinoma was demonstrated, elucidating the true nature of the lesion. Immunohistochemical studies and electronmicroscopy confirmed the epithelial derivation of the tumour. The clear cell appearance was due to multiple cytoplasmic electronlucent vacuoles which were not surrounded by membranes.     

Discriminating basal cell carcinoma from perilesional skin using high wave-number Raman spectroscopy

An expanding body of literature suggests Raman spectroscopy is a promising tool for skin cancer diagnosis and in-vivo tumor border demarcation. The development of an in-vivo diagnostic tool is, however, hampered by the fact that construction of fiber optic probes suitable for Raman spectroscopy in the so-called fingerprint region is complicated. In contrast, the use of the high wave-number region allows for fiber optic probes with a very simple design. We investigate whether high wave-number Raman spectroscopy (2800 to 3125 cm(-1)) is able to provide sufficient information for noninvasive discrimination between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and noninvolved skin. Using a simple fiber optic probe, Raman spectra are obtained from 19 BCC biopsy specimens and 9 biopsy specimens of perilesional skin. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA)-based tissue classification model is developed, which discriminates between BCC and noninvolved skin with high accuracy. This is a crucial step in the development of clinical dermatological applications based on fiber optic Raman spectroscopy.     

Nationwide survey of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome in Japan revealing the low frequency of basal cell carcinoma

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is characterized by developmental defects and tumorigenesis. The clinical manifestations of NBCCS have been reported in large epidemiological studies from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, but not from an Asian country. We conducted a nationwide survey and identified 311 NBCCS patients in Japan. We investigated the detailed clinical manifestations of 157 patients ranging in age from 9 months to 77 years old (mean: 33.1 years). We then compared the frequency and age of onset for various tumors developed in Japanese NBCCS patients with patients from the three countries listed above in which NBCCS studies were previously conducted. Our most significant finding was the low frequency of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in Japanese patients. Frequency of BCC in patients over 20 years of age was 51.4%, a much lower rate compared to the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom (91%, 85%, and 73%, respectively). The mean age of BCC onset was 37.4 years of age, a much older age compared to the above-mentioned countries. These findings suggest that differences in ethnicity and/or environmental factors affect the incidence of BCC. Because the age of BCC onset is generally higher in Japanese NBCCS patients, careful skin examination over a prolonged period of time is warranted.     

Research progress in the cell origin of basal cell carcinoma

Identification of the cell origin of human neoplasms remains a challenging but important task in cancer research. The outcomes in this area of study may allow us to design novel strategies for early cancer detection and targeted cancer therapeutics. Skin is a great organ to study cancer stem cells because stem cells in skin have been well investigated and approaches of genetic manipulation in specific cell compartments are available to mimic clinical skin cancer in a mouse model. Recently, by using different genetic engineered mouse models, several groups have tried to discover which cell type in skin was responsible for the initiation of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. These studies raised more questions but also showed more ways for future investigation.