Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
Chronic Venous Insufficiency as a Predisposing Factor for Basal Cell Carcinoma on Legs
Ana Carolina Apolinario Sala1, Ana Carolina Fernandez Crespo1, Rafael Fantelli Stelini1
1Department of Pathology, Medical School, Unicamp, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Background:
The main risk factor associated with basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) is believed to be exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). In the case of lower limb BCC, the frequency is higher in women, possibly because of greater exposure of the leg to UVR. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), also more common in women, may have some association with leg BCCs.
Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated the histopathological features of leg BCCs removed between 1993 and 2017 in a tertiary referral center. The patients' clinical data were obtained from medical records, considering, in particular, CVI.
Results:
We selected 149 patients with leg BCCs, predominately occurring in elderly Caucasian women. Of those, 71 had a clinical diagnosis of CVI in whom the clinical tumor size and frequency of recurrences were significantly higher than patients without CVI. There was an association between clinical diagnosis of CVI and histological findings of (1) follicular induction in epidermis and (2) distal sweat duct hyperplasia.
Conclusions:
CVI, besides the already known UVR exposure, is probably associated with leg BCCs and may determine a worse BCC course.
Related Concept Videos
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Varicose Veins I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

