Comparative morphometric analysis of aggressive and ordinary basal cell carcinoma of the skin

A morphometric analysis was performed on histologic sections of 11 cases of aggressive basal cell carcinoma that recurred and/or metastasized after the first diagnosis (BCC2) and on 11 ordinary basal cell carcinomas (BCC1). The considered parameters were as follows: nuclear area, perimeter, maximum diameter, feret x, feret y, form perimeter, and form area. The results show numeric differences between the two groups for the first five parameters. A statistical analysis was performed between BCC1 and BCC2 for all the considered parameters using a two-sided t test for independent samples. The test showed significant differences between the first five parameters except for the two form factors. A multivariate analysis was performed using area and perimeter values of the compared groups that amplified the discrimination threshold between the two groups. The authors conclude that a morphometric assessment may bring significant contribution in the knowledge and in the outcome prediction of basal cell carcinoma.