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Basal Cell Carcinoma with Sarcomatoid Differentiation-A Rare Type and Its Possible Origin
Nessr Abu Rached1, Natalie Orlinski1, Eggert Stockfleth1
1Skin Cancer Center, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
Dermatopathology (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 23, 2025
Summary
This case study details a rare basal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation. Diagnosis required thorough histopathology and immunohistochemistry to identify both basaloid and sarcomatoid cell components.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Presents a rare case of a tumour with both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and sarcomatoid components.
- An 86-year-old woman exhibited an erythematous cheek lesion, initially suspected as BCC.
- Histopathology revealed BCC alongside a separate proliferation of atypical spindle and epithelioid cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and characterize a rare instance of basal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation.
- To emphasize the diagnostic utility of immunohistochemistry in distinguishing tumour components.
Main Methods:
- Surgical excision of the cheek lesion.
- Histopathological examination of the excised tissue.
- Immunohistochemical staining for specific cellular markers (CK5/6, Ber-EP4, CD10, vimentin).
Main Results:
- Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation.
- Basaloid cells stained positive for CK5/6 and Ber-EP4.
- Sarcomatoid cells stained positive for CD10 and vimentin.
Conclusions:
- Basal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation is an uncommon diagnosis.
- This case underscores the necessity of comprehensive histological and immunohistochemical analysis for accurate diagnosis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathogenesis of these collision tumours.
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