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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Automated Multiplex Immunofluorescence Panel for Immuno-oncology Studies on Formalin-fixed Carcinoma Tissue Specimens
Published on: January 21, 2019
Histologic patterns of basal cell carcinoma based upon patient immunostatus
1Department of Dermatology, VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Background:
The biologic behavior of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) seems to be dictated by the histologic subtype. Moreover, BCCs in immunosuppressed patients appear to show a more aggressive biologic behavior.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate different histologic subtypes of BCC to determine whether a particular subtype would predominate in immunosuppressed patients.
Methods:
The histologic patterns of 112 primary BCCs from 77 immunosuppressed patients and 60 primary BCCs from 46 patients who are endogenously immunocompromised, due to diabetes mellitus and/or chronic renal failure, were examined. The results were compared with 488 primary BCCs of 318 immunocompetent patients.
Results:
The nodular subtype was the predominant pattern among all patients. However, a statistical difference was found in the immunosuppressed patients in that there was a lower percentage of nodular pattern (P = .0038), and a higher percentage of infiltrative pattern (P = .0002). The higher frequency of the infiltrative pattern in the immunosuppressed group was particularly prominent among chronic alcoholics.
Conclusion:
In immunosuppressed patients, the higher frequency of the infiltrative subtype of BCC, particularly among chronic alcoholics, may have a predictive role in the management of these cases.
