[Translated article] Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas. Timeline and Underlying Risk Factors

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• A significant proportion of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients develop new lesions over time.
• Understanding the incidence and characteristics of multiple BCC (mBCC) is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the proportion and characteristics of patients developing more than one BCC.
• To define multiple BCC (mBCC) and identify associated risk factors.
• To determine the timeframe for mBCC development.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of 758 patients diagnosed with sporadic BCC between 2014-2014.
• Data collected included BCC dates, patient demographics, and initial BCC histology.
• mBCC defined as developing BCCs exceeding the 75th percentile of the series.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of patients developed more than one BCC after a median follow-up of 100 months.
• Key factors associated with mBCC included initial presentation clustering (OR 5.6), male gender (OR 3.1), and age 50-80 at first BCC diagnosis (OR 2.1).
• Patients with these three factors had a 54% chance of developing mBCC within 5 years; median time to mBCC was 38 months.

Conclusions:

• A quarter of patients with one BCC may develop four or more.
• Routine clinical parameters can identify high-risk individuals for mBCC.
• Predictive models can aid in understanding the timeframe for mBCC development.