[Inflammatory lymphadenoid reactions around basocellular epitheliomas]

The histological study of 3,960 basal cell epitheliomas (carcinomas) showed in 82 cases (2 p. 100) an inflammatory lymphoplasmocytic reaction of the lymphadenoid type characterized by the neoformation of differentiated germinative centers. These organoid structures are morphologically similar to those of normal lymphoid follicles of the lymph-nodes and occur most often around the basal cell carcinomas of the face and the neck (96 p. 100), mainly the temporal and peri-auricular skin areas (37,5 p. 100). The concerned tumours are mostly of the primordial type (90 p. 100); such a lymphadenoid reaction was never observed around morphea-like basal cell carcinomas and seldom around superficial spreading basaliomas of the trunk. In 85 p. 100 of the examined cases the tumours were ulcerated and invaded the depth of the reticular dermis (78 p. 100) or the subcutaneous fat (6 p. 100). The occurrence of a lymphadenoid stromal reaction seemingly does not limit the tumour growth and in most cases it concerns aggressive and ulcerated ulcus rodens of histologically nodular or large trabecular type (solid, pseudo-cystic or adenoid variants). It could account for the possible inhibition of the host T-cell mediated immune defense by the aggressive behaviour of the tumour and the induction of a B-lymphocytic secreting reaction with no evident efficiency on the proliferative pattern and activity of the tumour. Its prevalent occurrence around basal cell carcinomas of peri-auricular localization could be related to lymphopoietic remnants of this skin area.