Dermoscopic Pattern of Basal Cell Carcinoma in H- and Non-H-Zones

Joanna Pogorzelska-Dyrbuś; Natalia Salwowska; Beata Bergler-Czop

doi:10.5826/dpc.1303a125

Dermoscopic Pattern of Basal Cell Carcinoma in H- and Non-H-Zones

Authors

Joanna Pogorzelska-Dyrbuś Estevita” Specialist Medical Practice, Tychy, Poland
Natalia Salwowska Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Beata Bergler-Czop Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

Keywords:

Dermoscopy, H-zone, Ulceration, Basal cell carcinoma, skin cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) localized in the H-zone, the region of fusion of embryonic masses, has been associated with a higher risk of deeper invasion and more frequent recurrence.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare dermoscopic features of BCC in H and non-H zone that may most appropriately characterize those two locations.

Methods: Dermoscopy images of histopathologically confirmed BCCs from 120 patients

were retrospectively analyzed. Dermoscopy features of BCC in H- and non-H zone were described and a comparative study of the dermoscopic pattern of BCC between the two locations was performed.

Results: Of 120 BCC cases included in this study, 41 (34.2%) were located in the H-zone. The most frequent histological type was nodular (51.3% in H- zone and 61.6 % in non-H-zone) followed by superficial (5.1% and 19.8 % in H and non-H-zone respectively).

In dermoscopy, there was a higher prevalence of ulceration (73.2% versus 43.6%, P < 0.001) in H-zone and a lower prevalence of brown globules (26.8% versus 53.2%; P = 0.01), when compared with the non-H-zone.

Conclusions: Our results show that dermoscopic features of BCC on the face fulfill a typical pattern regardless of the region, except for the prevalence of the ulceration which is significantly more frequent in H-zone and the brown globules present significantly more often in the non-H-zone It can be hypothesized that H-zone might predispose to more aggressive course of BCC complicated by ulceration and consequently deeper tissue destruction.

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