Comparative morphometric analysis of primary versus recurrent basal cell carcinoma and of histological subtypes. Significance of morphometry of the nuclei.

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most common cutaneous tumors, accounting for approximately 70% of all malignant skin tumors. A morphometric analysis was performed to evaluate whether morphometric parameters of the nuclei of BCC tumor cells may serve as predictors for biological behavior like recurrence rate or are able to differentiate morphological subtypes (multifocal superficial, nodular, sclerosing and miscellaneous forms of BCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

N = 130 histological sections from n = 126 patients with BCC of the head and neck were analyzed. Morphometry included: maximum and minimum diameter, perimeter, nuclear area (direct parameters). According to the direct parameters, so called form factors were evaluated: axis ratio, shape factor, nuclear contour index, nuclear roundness and circumference/contour ratio.

RESULTS

Morphometric parameters were not able to differentiate significantly between primary and recurrent BCC. Concerning the histological subtypes, multifocal superficial BCC differed significantly (< 0.05) from all other subtypes by direct parameters.

CONCLUSION

Morphometry can help to distinguish between histological subtypes of BCC. Morphometry alone is not able to predict recurrence rate.