Superficial basal cell carcinoma

Last Updated: 2023-07-07

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: 2C32.2

  • Nummular eczema
  • Plaque-type psoriasis
  • Bowen's disease
  • Tinea corporis (mycosis)
  • Tinea corporis profunda

Trunk basal cell carcinoma, trunk basal cell carcinoma, trunk skin epithelioma, superficial multicentric basal cell carcinoma, superficial basal cell carcinoma, pagetoid basal cell carcinoma, bowenoid basal cell carcinoma; psoriasiform basal cell carcinoma; eczematoid basal cell carcinoma, erythematoid basal cell carcinoma, Arning's carcinoid.

Mostly superficial BCC localised to the trunk. Superficial BCC is often not recognised or misdiagnosed.

Sharply but irregularly circumscribed, reddish-brown, discreetly scaling or crusted, slightly raised plaques with shiny, pearly margins. Superficial basaliomas tend not to ulcerate. Pigmentation is possible. Patients often describe localised pruritus. Superficial BCC is characterised by slow and mainly horizontal growth.

  • Anamnesis (risk factors?)
  • Clinic
  • Biopsy

Mostly trunk, otherwise also on the extremities.

Multicentric, basaloid, epithelial tumour cells growing from the epidermis into the papillary body. Usually palisading and cleavage can be detected.

  1. Clark CM, Furniss M, Mackay-Wiggan JM. Basal cell carcinoma: an evidence-based treatment update. Am J Clin Dermatol 2014;15:197-216.
  2. Kwasniak LA, Garcia-Zuazaga J. Basal cell carcinoma: evidence-based medicine and review of treatment modalities. Int J Dermatol 2011;50:645-58.
  3. Hauschild, A. (2016). Langfassung der Leitlinie "Basalzellkarzinom der Haut". Awmf.org. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://www.awmf.org/leitlinien/detail/ll/032-021.html