INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer. The aim of the current study was to analyze the ultraviolet-enhanced fluorescence dermoscopy (UVFD) characteristics of BCCs.

METHODS

BCCs were evaluated under polarized dermoscopy (PD) and UVFD. The findings in PD were described using predefined parameters for dermoscopic evaluation in dermato-oncology. UVFD characteristics were determined based on personal observations, and included interrupted follicle pattern, absence of pink-orange or blue-green fluorescence, well-demarcated borders, and dark silhouettes.

RESULTS

In total, 163 BCCs were analyzed. Under UVFD, the interrupted follicle pattern ( < 0.001), absence of pink-orange fluorescence ( = 0.005) and well-demarcated borders ( = 0.031) were more frequently noted in BCCs < 5 mm than in bigger tumors. Lesions on the face showed clearly defined borders ( = 0.031) and interrupted follicle pattern ( < 0.001) more frequently than tumors located beyond the face. Nodular BCCs displayed interrupted follicle pattern ( = 0.001) and absence of pink-orange fluorescence ( < 0.001) more commonly than superficial subtypes. Non-pigmented BCCs more frequently showed lack of blue-green fluorescence ( = 0.007) and interrupted follicle pattern ( = 0.018) compared to pigmented variants.

CONCLUSIONS

UVFD may be a valuable, complementary to PD, tool in the diagnosis of BCC, particularly in small tumors, lesions located on the face and nodular or non-pigmented subtypes.