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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
06:53
Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
Giant basal cell carcinoma and cigarette smoking
1Department of Dermatology, Room 4B454, University of Utah School of Medicine, 50 N Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Cutis
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Cigarette smoking is linked to larger basal cell skin cancers. This study found a higher prevalence of basal cell carcinomas over 1.0 cm in diameter among smokers.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research indicated a link between smoking and squamous cell carcinoma.
- However, no correlation was found between smoking and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in prior studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and the size of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumors.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 200 patients.
- Patients underwent Mohs' surgery for BCC between 1986 and 1990.
- Tumor size was categorized and smoking status was recorded.
Main Results:
- Smokers represented 30% of patients with tumors ≤1.0 cm.
- Smokers comprised 42% of patients with tumors 1.1–2.0 cm.
- Smokers were 56% of patients with tumors 2.1–4.9 cm.
- Smokers were 50% of patients with tumors ≥5.0 cm.
- A higher prevalence of BCC tumors larger than 1.0 cm was observed in smokers.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased prevalence of basal cell carcinomas larger than 1.0 cm in diameter.
- This finding suggests a potential link between smoking and more advanced BCC.
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