[Basal cell epitheliomas of the extremities. Presentation of 16 cases]

The authors study 16 cases of basal cell epithelioma of the limbs, 5 from the upper ones and 11 of the lower ones. They expose their particular clinical characteristics which have not been shown at bibliography there are studied. Are atypical forms all the distal or acral sectors: erythemato-squamous, exofitic and nodular without melanic pigmentation, pearl papulae or telangiectasis, which makes difficult a precise diagnosis. Proximal limb lesions shown the typical semiology of basal cell epitheliomas of head and neck. The exofitic forms have fasted evolution, while the others grow slowly. Histologically it has been demonstrated a clear predominance of solid undifferentiated forms: 12/16. The statistical studies suggest an increase of basal cell epithelioma of the limbs during the lats quinquenium, probably related to a more intensive exposition to sunlight.