[Basal cell carcinoma]

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. It tends to be locally invasive but rarely metastasizes. Dermoscopy has been reported as a useful in vivo method for the accurate clinical diagnosis of BCC. The first-line treatment for BCC is surgical excision, however, clinical trials of non-surgical treatment modalities such as topical imiquimod and photodynamic therapy have recently been published in the English literature, and are gradually being introduced into Japan. Although clinical practice guidelines for the management of BCC have been already published in several countries, original guidelines for Japan are required in light of clinical and ethnic differences.