A 13-Year Retrospective Study of Basal Cell Carcinoma in a Canadian Dermatology Practice

Abstract

Background: It is unknown whether the histologic subtypes of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) arise from a common progenitor cell or whether other factors play a role in their development. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the different BCC histopathologic subtypes and anatomical distribution of BCCs in a Canadian dermatology practice. Methods: The charts of all patients diagnosed with BCC between 1993 and 2005 from a single private dermatology practice in Vancouver, Canada, were reviewed. Descriptive data analysis was undertaken to look at the distribution of histologic subtypes based on age, gender, and anatomical location. Results: Nodular BCCs accounted for 58% of all tumors. Sixty-six percent of these were situated on the head/neck (odds ratio [OR] = 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-4.3, P < .0001). Infiltrative (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.5-4.1, P = .0003) and superficial BCCs were more common in women (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 2.5-5.7, P < .0001), affected the trunk (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2.1-4.9, P < .0001), and appeared in younger individuals (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2-2.7, P = .004). Conclusion: Our results show a preference of distinct BCC subtypes for certain anatomical locations.