[Specific characteristics of skin basal cell carcinoma invasion]

Histological, electron-microscopic and immunomorphologic studies were made in 30 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin. In the immunomorphological study the antibodies to pankeratin, to keratins of N8, 17 (K N8, K N17) and to laminin were used. Two microscopical types of BCC growth distinguished by their clinical manifestations were revealed: compact-nodulous and diffuse-infiltrative. In BCC with diffuse-infiltrative type of growth the basement membrane was markedly fragmentated or completely absent in some regions. This indicates aggressive character of these tumors. This type of BCC growth was characterized by pronounced expression of K N8. The expression of K N17 was revealed in all BCCs.