Unusual dermoscopic patterns of basal cell carcinoma mimicking melanoma

Basal cell carcinoma can simulate melanoma and specific dermoscopic criteria have not yet been defined in a large cohort.

To identify dermoscopic "trump" characteristics for differential diagnosis, identify cluster groups and assess the clinical impact of this study's findings.

Retrospective, multicentric comparative study of atypical, non-facial basal cell carcinoma (≥1 seven-point checklist criteria) and melanoma (with at least one BCC criteria) at dermoscopy. Observed dermoscopic features were used to develop a proposed score. Lesion clusters were defined with hierarchical analysis. Clinical impact was assessed with a blinded reader study following this study's results.

A total of 146 basal cell carcinoma and 76 melanoma were included. Atypical vascular pattern was common to most lesions (74.5%). Twelve trump features were included in the proposed score (sensitivity 94.1% and specificity 79.5%). Cluster analysis identified 3 basal cell carcinoma and 3 melanoma clusters. Findings improved overall diagnostic accuracy and confidence (26.8% and 13.8%, respectively; p < 0.001).

These findings support the notion that atypical vascular pattern should be considered a shared feature of both melanoma and atypical basal cell carcinoma. Our proposed score improves diagnostic accuracy and confidence. Absence of pigmented features was associated with lower diagnostic accuracy and confidence.