Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography in dermato-oncology: A literature review towards harmonized histopathology-integrated terminology.

Non-invasive diagnostics like line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) are being implemented in dermato-oncology. However, unification of terminology in LC-OCT is lacking. By reviewing the LC-OCT literature in the field of dermato-oncology, this study aimed to develop a unified terminological glossary integrated with traditional histopathology. A PRISMA-guided literature-search was conducted for English-language publications on LC-OCT of actinic keratosis (AK), keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), and malignant melanoma (MM). Study characteristics and terminology were compiled. To harmonize LC-OCT terminology and integrate with histopathology, synonymous terms for image features of AK, KC, and MM were merged by two authors, organized by skin layer and lesion-type. A subset of key LC-OCT image-markers with histopathological correlates that in combination were typical of AK, squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCis), invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and MM in traditional histopathology, were selected from the glossary by an experienced dermatopathologist. Seventeen observational studies of AK (7 studies), KC (13 studies), MM (7 studies) utilizing LC-OCT were included, with 117 terms describing either AK, KC, or MM. These were merged to produce 45 merged-terms (61.5% reduction); 5 assigned to the stratum corneum (SC), 23 to the viable epidermis, 2 to dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ) and 15 to the dermis. For each lesion, mandatory key image-markers were a well-defined DEJ and presence of mild/moderate but not severe epidermal dysplasia for AK, severe epidermal dysplasia and well-defined DEJ for SCCis, interrupted DEJ and/or dermal broad infiltrative strands for invasive SCC, dermal lobules connected and/or unconnected to the epidermis for BCC, as well as single atypical melanocytes and/or nest of atypical melanocytes in the epidermis or dermis for MM. This review compiles evidence on LC-OCT in dermato-oncology, providing a harmonized histopathology-integrated terminology and key image-markers for each lesion. Further evaluation is required to determine the clinical value of these findings.

Long-term follow-up of patients with high-risk facial basal cell carcinoma treated with interferon.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). When surgery is not a choice, only radiotherapy is recommended for patients with high-risk facial BCC. Interferon could be an acceptable therapeutic option for these patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term clinical response to interferon therapy in patients with high-risk facial BCC. METHODS: Patients with high-risk facial BCC were treated with perilesional injections of alpha-2b+ gamma interferons. Those with incomplete clinical response were reevaluated, their residual tumors excised, and declared cured. Patients treated with interferon and those treated with interferon plus surgery were followed for five years. Time to recurrence and the emergence of a new facial BCC were estimated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Adverse events were documented. RESULTS: This study included 195 participants; 143 (73.3%) showed a complete response (95% CI 67.2‒80.1). Patients developed recurrence after a mean of 55 months (95% CI 53.8‒57.4). The estimated rate of recurrence was 12.3% (95% CI 7.4‒17.1). Patients developed a new BCC after a mean of 52.7 months (95% CI 50.4‒54.9). The estimated rate for development of a new BCC was 20.0% (95% CI 14.4‒25.9). Fifteen (7.7%) patients abandoned the study during follow-up. Adverse events were frequent but moderate or mild; fever and local pain were the most frequent. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Observational cohort design without a control group for comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Perilesional injections of alpha-2b+ gamma interferons in patients with facial high-risk BCC offer a satisfactory cure rate after five years of follow-up with an acceptable safety profile.

Characterizing the cutaneous late effects of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is a well-documented risk of secondary cutaneous malignancies following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), but data on risk in pediatric populations are limited. The objective of this study is to perform a systematic review of reported features and outcomes of skin cancers in pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science were systematically searched (Prospero CRD42022342139). Studies reporting cutaneous cancer outcomes were included if the age at transplant was ≤19 years. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were screened in duplicate. RESULTS: Out of 824 citations that were screened, 12 articles were selected for analysis. The final sample included 67 pediatric HSCT recipients, comprising 65 allogeneic transplant recipients and 2 cases of HSCT with an unknown donor type. The median age at transplant and skin cancer diagnosis were 7.4 and 13 years, respectively. Out of the 67 pediatric HSCT recipients, some patients developed more than one lesion, resulting in 71 lesions. The most common skin cancer type was cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (32 lesions), followed by basal cell carcinoma (25 lesions). The median latency period between HSCT and skin cancer diagnosis ranged from 0 to 29 years. Identified risk factors for skin cancers included younger age at the time of transplant, exposure to total body irradiation, prolonged post-transplant immunosuppression, graft versus host disease, and sunburn. CONCLUSION: Skin cancers are reported in pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients, and the risk appears to be increased. More data are needed to better characterize this risk.

Primary basal cell carcinoma of the caruncle: case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT We present a rare case of primary caruncle basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a condition with limited occurrences. Our patient, an 80-year-old woman without prior ocular pathological history, presented a 2x2mm pedunculated blackish nodular lesion on the caruncle of her left eye, without local conjunctival or cutaneous involvement. Histological analysis following complete excision confirmed the presence of basal cell carcinoma within the caruncle. Over a span of 30 months, no recurrence has been observed. While scant cases are documented in the literature, we conducted a review of these instances. Despite its infrequent manifestation, this condition should be taken into account when evaluating caruncular tumors, given its tendency to invade the orbit. Complete excision with free surgical margins is the treatment of choice, and adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy might be considered.

Immune microenvironment of basal cell carcinoma and tumor regression following combined PD-1/LAG-3 blockade.

Systemic treatment options for patients with locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are limited, particularly when tumors are refractory to anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1). A better understanding of immune checkpoint expression within the BCC tumor microenvironment may inform combinatorial treatment strategies to optimize response rates. CD3, PD-1, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3), and T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3)+ cell densities within the tumor microenvironment of 34 archival, histologically aggressive BCCs were assessed. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and LAG-3, and to a lesser degree TIM-3, correlated with increasing CD3+ T-cell densities (Pearson's r=0.89, 0.72, 0.87, and 0.63, respectively). 100% of BCCs (34/34) demonstrated LAG-3 and PD-1 expression in >1% TIL; and the correlation between PD-1 and LAG-3 densities was high (Pearson's r=0.89). LAG-3 was expressed at ~50% of the level of PD-1. Additionally, we present a patient with locally-advanced BCC who experienced stable disease during and after 45 weeks of first-line anti-PD-1 (nivolumab), followed by a partial response after the addition of anti-LAG-3 (relatlimab). Longitudinal biopsies throughout the treatment course showed a graduated increase in LAG-3 expression after anti-PD-1 therapy, lending support for coordinated immunosuppression and suggesting LAG-3 as a co-target for combination therapy to augment the clinical impact of anti-PD-(L)1.

Histopathological Pattern of Head and Neck Recurrent BCC After Previous Cryotherapy.

Surgical resection is the gold standard treatment for basal cell carcinomas, although there is literature supporting cryotherapy for low-risk cases. Our aim was to compare the histopathological aspects of recurrent postcryotherapy head and neck cutaneous BCC with de novo tumors, using a case-control study. 51 Recurrent postcryotherapy cases were selected between January 2017 and December 2021 and compared to 132 controls filtered from a consecutive series of de novo head and neck cutaneous BCC operated between January and December 2021. Aggressive variants, multifocality, invasion beyond adipose tissue and higher Clark levels were associated with recurrent cases on multivariate analysis. Previous cryotherapy treatment may have contributed to an increased risk of more aggressive recurrent disease and caution using this treatment modality is advised. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-03919-7.

Dermoscopy of very small basal cell carcinoma (≤3mm).

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) dermoscopy is key to lower the biopsy threshold of suspicious lesions. There is a scarcity of published data on the dermoscopy of very small BCC (≤3mm) and its differences from larger BCCs. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare dermoscopic features of BCCs measuring ≤3mm, with those from 3 to 10mm. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study, included biopsy-proven BCCs that had dermoscopic photographic images, between January 2017 and December 2022 in a Skin Cancer Center in Medellín, Colombia. Demographic, clinic-pathological and dermoscopic features were compared between very small BCCs (vsBCCs) and a reference group. RESULTS: A total of 326 BCCs in 196 patients were included, of whom 60% were male. The most common Fitzpatrick phototype was III. vsBCCs accounted for 25% of the lesions (81/326). Face and neck were the most frequent locations (53%), especially in very small tumors. The nodular type was more common in very small tumors than in larger lesions, the superficial type was less frequent, and aggressive types were equally prevalent in both groups. On dermoscopy, very small tumors were statistically more likely to present pigmented structures than reference lesions, especially blue-gray dots (67% vs. 54%), vessels were less frequent, particularly short-fine telangiectasias (SFT) (52% vs. 66%), as were other structures such as shiny white structures (SWS), ulceration, micro-erosions, and scales. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Latin-American sample, lacks information on dark phototypes CONCLUSIONS: Pigmented structures, especially blue-gray dots, were most common in vsBCCs when compared to larger lesions; SFT, SWS and other findings were less prevalent.

Reconstruction of the nasal columella using bilateral nasolabial flaps: case report / Reconstrução da columela nasal com utilização de retalhos nasolabiais bilaterais: relato de caso

Introduction: The columella is an important subunit of the nose, essential for nasal architecture and facial aesthetics. The total reconstruction of the nasal columella becomes a great challenge after repairing trauma, carcinomas, and necrosis in this region. There are descriptions in the literature of numerous reconstruction techniques using different flaps, such as a frontal region flap, an infraclavicular region flap, and a unilateral and bilateral nasolabial flap. Case Report: A total reconstruction of the nasal columella after resection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) using a bilateral nasolabial flap is reported. Conclusion: The technique proved effective for correcting the complex defect after BCC resection, with technical ease for resolution and good aesthetic and functional results.

Introdução: A columela é uma importante subunidade do nariz, sendo essencial para a arquitetura nasal e estética facial. A reconstrução total da columela nasal torna-se, portanto, um grande desafio após reparação de traumas, carcinomas e necroses nesta região. Há na literatura a descrição de inúmeras técnicas de reconstrução com uso de diferentes retalhos, como retalho da região frontal, retalho da região infraclavicular, retalho nasolabial unilateral e bilateral. Relato de Caso: Reporta-se uma reconstrução total da columela nasal pós-ressecção de carcinoma basocelular (CBC) utilizando retalho nasolabial bilateral. Conclusão: A técnica utilizada mostrou-se eficaz para correção do defeito complexo pós-ressecção de CBC, apresentando facilidade técnica para resolução e bom resultado estético-funcional.

Chemotherapeutical treatment of basal cell carcinoma with bleomycin via microinfusion of the drug into the skin (MMP®).

BACKGROUND: Bleomycin is a chemotherapeutical drug used to treat several neoplasias, including non-melanoma skin cancer; it is effective in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) via intralesional infiltration. Transdermal drug delivery, which includes technologies such as CO2 Laser, Dermapen, Dermaroller and MMP®, delivers the desired medication to treat skin neoplasias and also acts in skin rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: To treat BCC lesions using bleomycin via MMP®. METHODS: Ninety-eight BCC lesions in different anatomical areas were treated using MMP® technology to administer and uniformly distribute bleomycin throughout the lesion and in the established safety margin. RESULTS: The cure rate after six months was 96.94%; and recurrences were not associated with lesion size and/or depth. Adverse effects were the expected ones. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The follow-up time was only six months. CONCLUSION: This therapeutic route showed to be promising and effective.

Non-melanoma skin cancer: an analysis of compromised margins in excisions / Câncer de pele não melanoma: uma análise do comprometimento de margens em excisões

Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most frequent neoplasm in Brazil, with an estimated 176,930 new cases during the 2020-2022 period, with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as the most common subtypes. Surgical treatment of the lesions is effective, with a recurrence rate varying between 3 and 23%, with compromised margins being an important prognostic factor for this recurrence, increasing the importance of complete excision of the tumor. Method: To prepare this work, 1127 lesions treated at the Hospital de Amor Amazônia were analyzed, seeking to quantify cases and analyze surgically compromised margins through a retrospective analytical descriptive study. For this, histopathological reports of the operated patients were reviewed, dividing them according to sex, age, lesion topography, date of excision, lesion diameter, lesion depth, presence of ulceration, compromised margins, and histological type. Results: Among the lesions treated, 65% were BCC and 35% SCC, both histological types presenting a low incidence of compromised margins. In cases of CPB impairment, treatment via exeresis was chosen in 100% of cases. Concerning BCC impairment, the majority opted for clinical follow-up, with reapproach in only 9% of cases. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the cases treated at the Hospital de Amor Amazônia align with the epidemiological data in the main literature, except for finding a higher incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in men. In addition, this work demonstrates good results in the clinical approach of compromised margins in BCC lesions.

Introdução: O câncer de pele não melanoma é a neoplasia mais frequente no Brasil, com uma estimativa de 176.930 novos casos durante o triênio 2020-2022, tendo o carcinoma basocelular (CBC) e o carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) como subtipos mais presentes. O tratamento cirúrgico das lesões é efetivo, apresentando taxa de recorrência variando entre 3 e 23%, sendo o comprometimento de margens importante fator prognóstico para essa recorrência, aumentando a importância da excisão completa do tumor. Método: Para a elaboração deste trabalho, foram analisadas 1127 lesões abordadas no Hospital de Amor Amazônia, buscando quantificar casos e analisar margens cirurgicamente comprometidas por meio de um estudo descritivo analítico retrospectivo. Para isso, foram revisados laudos histopatológicos dos pacientes operados, dividindo-os de acordo com sexo, idade, topografia da lesão, data de excisão, diâmetro da lesão, profundidade da lesão, presença de ulceração, comprometimento de margens e tipo histológico. Resultados: Dentre as lesões abordadas, 65% eram CBC e 35% CEC, ambos os tipos histológicos apresentando baixa incidência de margens comprometidas. Nos casos de comprometimento em CEC, optou-se pelo tratamento via exérese em 100% dos casos. Já em relação ao comprometimento em CBC, optou-se majoritariamente pelo acompanhamento clínico, com reabordagem em apenas 9% dos casos. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstra que os casos abordados no Hospital de Amor Amazônia vão ao encontro dos dados epidemiológicos presentes nas principais literaturas, com ressalva, apenas, ao encontrar uma maior incidência de câncer de pele não melanoma em homens. Além disso, esse trabalho demonstra bons resultados na abordagem clínica de margens comprometidas em lesões de CBC.

Double transposition flap for lower eyelid reconstruction: case report of a new surgical approach / Retalho de dupla transposição para reconstrução de pálpebra inferior: relato de caso de uma nova abordagem cirúrgica

Introduction: Non-melanoma tumors frequently affect the lower palpebral region and constitute a challenge for reconstructing the surgical wound without causing functional or aesthetic changes. Primary closure is generally impossible, and flaps are preferred over grafts as they generate less eyelid retraction. This article aims to describe a new surgical reconstruction technique. Method: A modified McGregor flap technique is described for correcting a surgical defect greater than 50% of the anterior lamella of a recurrent basal cell carcinoma lesion in the lower eyelid. Results: The patient was evaluated on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 45th postoperative days. She presented a good functional and aesthetic response to the technique used. Conclusion: Using the double transposition flap, we demonstrate a new technique for closing defects larger than two-thirds in the lower eyelid.

Introdução: Os tumores não melanomas acometem frequentemente a região palpebral inferior e consistem em um desafio para a reconstrução da ferida operatória sem ocasionar alteração funcional ou estética. O fechamento primário geralmente não é possível e os retalhos são preferenciais aos enxertos por gerarem menor retração palpebral. Este artigo tem como objetivo descrever uma nova técnica de reconstrução cirúrgica. Método: Descreve-se técnica modificada do retalho de McGregor para correção de defeito cirúrgico maior que 50% da lamela anterior, de lesão recidivada de carcinoma basocelular localizada em pálpebra inferior. Resultados: Paciente foi avaliada no 7º, 14º, 21º e 45º dia de pós-operatório. Apresentou boa resposta funcional e estética com a técnica utilizada. Conclusão: Demonstramos uma nova técnica de fechamento de defeitos maiores do que dois terços na pálpebra inferior através do retalho de dupla transposição.

Spray de barreira para prevenir o apagamento da marcação cirúrgica na cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs / Barrier spray to prevent surgical marking erasure in Mohs micrographic surgery

A preservação do desenho das margens cirúrgicas é essencial durante a realização da cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs. Contudo, a degermação cutânea no ato da antissepsia e o uso da gaze durante a anestesia local, com frequência, promovem a remoção dessas marcações. A utilização da película protetora Cavilon® 3M, ao fixar a tinta da caneta marcadora, mostrou-se eficaz na preservação do mapa cirúrgico, permitindo uma remoção precisa do espécime cirúrgico

The preservation of the surgical margins marking is essential during Mohs micrographic surgery. However, skin degermation during antisepsis and the use of gauze during local anesthesia often remove these markings. The use of the protective film Cavilon® 3M to fix the marking pen ink was effective in preserving the surgical map, allowing an accurate removal of the surgical specimen.

Dermoscopy of very small basal cell carcinoma (≤3 mm)

Abstract Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) dermoscopy is key to lower the biopsy threshold of suspicious lesions. There is a scarcity of published data on the dermoscopy of very small BCC (≤3 mm) and its differences from larger BCCs. Objective To describe and compare dermoscopic features of BCCs measuring ≤3 mm, with those from 3 to 10 mm. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study, included biopsy-proven BCCs that had dermoscopic photographic images, between January 2017 and December 2022 in a Skin Cancer Center in Medellín, Colombia. Demographic, clinic-pathological and dermoscopic features were compared between very small BCCs (vsBCCs) and a reference group. Results A total of 326 BCCs in 196 patients were included, of whom 60% were male. The most common Fitzpatrick phototype was III. vsBCCs accounted for 25% of the lesions (81/326). Face and neck were the most frequent locations (53%), especially in very small tumors. The nodular type was more common in very small tumors than in larger lesions, the superficial type was less frequent, and aggressive types were equally prevalent in both groups. On dermoscopy, very small tumors were statistically more likely to present pigmented structures than reference lesions, especially blue-gray dots (67% vs. 54%), vessels were less frequent, particularly short-fine telangiectasias (SFT) (52% vs. 66%), as were other structures such as shiny white structures (SWS), ulceration, micro-erosions, and scales. Study limitations Latin-American sample, lacks information on dark phototypes Conclusions Pigmented structures, especially blue-gray dots, were most common in vsBCCs when compared to larger lesions; SFT, SWS and other findings were less prevalent.

Caracterización morfométrica nuclear de la epidermis sana en pacientes de diferentes edades y sexo

Introducción : La piel es un órgano complejo altamente vulnerable al envejecimiento, fenómeno que biológicamente provoca cambios a nivel tisular y celular. De manera usual los elementos histológicos que la caracterizan se describen con un enfoque cualitativo, sin tener en cuenta la edad, sin embargo, desde el punto de vista cuantitativo, aspecto este que lo posibilita la morfometría no ha sido abordado en todas sus potencialidades. Objetivo : Caracterizar el comportamiento de indicadores morfométricos como perímetro, área, volumen nuclear en las células de la capa espinosa de la epidermis sana, según edad y sexo. Métodos : Se realizó un estudio de serie de casos con 12 pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de carcinoma basocelular atendidos en Centro Oncológico del Hospital Provincial Universitario Vladimir Ilich Lenin de Holguín, en el año 2019 y a los cuales se les extirpó el tumor mediante una biopsia escisional que incluía la lesión y un borde amplio de piel sana. Se emplearon métodos teóricos y empíricos, estos últimos basados en técnicas morfométricas, luego se realizó análisis estadísticos de los datos obtenidos y se reflejaron en tablas. Resultados : A medida que avanza la edad el perímetro, el área y el volumen nuclear disminuyen en ambos sexos. Conclusiones : Tanto el perímetro, como el área y el volumen nuclear disminuyen en las células de la capa espinosa de la epidermis sana en ambos sexos a medida que avanza la edad, lo que traduce disminución del tamaño nuclear.

Introduction: The skin is a complex organ highly vulnerable to aging, a phenomenon that biologically causes changes at the tissue and cellular level. Usually the histological elements that characterize it are described with a qualitative approach, without taken age into account, however from the quantitative point of view, this aspect that morphometry makes possible has not been addressed in all its potentialities. Objective: To characterize the behavior of morphometric indicators such as perimeter, area, nuclear volume in the cells of the spinous layer of the healthy epidermis, according to age and sex. Methods: A case series study was carried out with 12 patients diagnosed with histopathology of basal cell carcinoma treated at the Oncology Center of the Provincial University Hospital Vladimir Ilich Lenin of Holguin, in the year 2019 and to which the tumor was removed by means of an excisional biopsy that included the lesion and a broad border of healthy skin. Theoretical and empirical methods were used, the latter based on techniques morphometric, then statistical analysis of the data obtained was performed and were reflected in tables. Results: As age advances the nuclear perimeter, area, and volume decreased in both sexes. Conclusions: Both the perimeter, the area and the nuclear volume decrease in the cell of the spinous layer of the healthy epidermis in both sexes as age advances, which translates into a decrease in nuclear size.