The biologic behavior of basal cell carcinoma: Part I.

The influence of histopathologic and clinical factors on the biologic behavior of basal cell carcinoma of the face is discussed on the basis of a retrospective study of 188 cases. Fourteen different parameters were studied and correlated with the histologic type and the frequency of incomplete excision of the lesions. The highest frequency of incompletely excised tumors was seen with the adenocystic and morphea types and with Clark level III lesions. The adenocystic type appeared to be the most aggressive form, with the highest frequency of thick lesions and the most marked mitotic activity. The histologic parameters studied provide more information about the behavior of basal cell carcinoma than the conventional subdivision into solid, morphea, and adenocystic types.