Basal cell carcinoma secondary to trauma: A 3-year experience of the single center

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent cancer worldwide in humans. The risk factors reported in the literature encompass excessive sun exposure, genetic predisposition, irradiation, exposure to arsenic, and trauma. The exact role of trauma in the etiology of BCC remains unexplained.

To analyze patients with BCC treated surgically in the Dermatosurgery Unit, looking for possible cases of BCC secondary to trauma.

We performed a retrospective review all of treated BCCs in the Dermatosurgery Unit between January 2017 and June 2020.

Among 1,832 patients with BCC, 5 (0.27%) tumors had a positive history of previous trauma. Many different types of injuries have been associated with oncogenesis in the area of the scar. The clinical presentations of lesions varied between the patients.

It is worth to underline that BCC may be located in the area of post-traumatic scar; however, the incidence seems to be lower comparing to reported previously (7.3-13%). This article illustrates the importance of exclusion malignancy in every non-healing lesion. A neoplasm may be difficult to differentiate from infection or local ischemia in the area of the scar. Prudent management of all clinically unclear lesions should include a biopsy.