Dermatoscopy in basal cell carcinoma patients in primary health care

Abstract

Background: Basal cell carcinoma is the highest incidence tumor among keratinocytic carcinomas. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technique that complements its clinical diagnosis.

Objective: To describe the dermoscopic structures in patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.

Methodology: A descriptive observational study including 88 patients over 18 years old with clinical diagnosis was conducted, dermatoscopic and histopathological examination of basal cell carcinoma pertaining to the dermatology office of the Dr. Carlos J. Finlay polyclinic, Colon, Matanzas, between January 2017 and June 2023. The sample was made up of 55 patients who underwent initial dermoscopy and after completing treatment. The variables were age, sex, skin phototype, location, clinical pigmentation presence and histologic subtype. The statistical package SPSS version 20.0 was used. The information was processed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Male patients aged 70 years and older, skin phototype II, tumors in the facial area and solid histologic subtype predominated. Thirty dermatoscopic structures were identified and the most frequent ones classified by categories were shown. The structures were classified into four categories. Fine and short telangiectasias, ulceration and bright reddish-white areas prevailed.

Conclusions: Recognition of specific dermoscopic structures supports basal cell carcinoma clinical diagnosis.