CLINICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMA AND DETERMINANTS OF ITS INVASIVE GROWTH

Roiko N. V., Fylenko B. M., Starchenko I. I., Proskurnia S. A., Nikolenko D. Ye., Shykota A. Ye.

CLINICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMA AND DETERMINANTS OF ITS INVASIVE GROWTH


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About the author:

Roiko N. V., Fylenko B. M., Starchenko I. I., Proskurnia S. A., Nikolenko D. Ye., Shykota A. Ye.

Heading:

PATHOMORPHOLOGY

Type of article:

Scientific article

Annotation:

The aim is to establish the patterns between the morphological types of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the depth of invasion, and the clinico-demographic characteristics of patients to improve primary diagnostics and the selection of therapeutic strategies. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 393 histopathological reports and clinical data (53.2% female, 46.8% male; mean age 69.32±12.41 years). The depth of invasion was determined. Statistical processing was performed using the χ2 (chi-squared) test and Pearson correlation analysis. A predominance of mixed BCC forms was established (49.9%), indicating high morphological heterogeneity of the tumors. The mean invasion depth across the entire sample was 0.32 cm, reaching a maximum in the nodulo-ul cerative form (0.55 cm). A direct correlation was identified between patient age and the depth of tumor infiltration (r=0.24, p<0.05). Tumors located in the facial T-zone were characterized by a significantly higher invasive potential (0.42-0.45 cm) compared to neoplasms of the trunk (0.19-0.22 cm), where superficial forms prevailed in 64.2% of cases. Analysis of diagnostic errors revealed that trichoblastoma (1%) and superficial BCC most frequently masquer ade as benign processes (papillomas, dermatitis). The high prevalence of mixed BCC forms necessitates the expansion of surgical resection margins to 5–6 mm, particularly for lesions localized in the facial T-zone. Invasion depth exceeding 0.5 cm serves as a critical marker of aggressiveness, most commonly observed in patients over 75 years of age. A differentiated approach to diagnosing the "masks" of basal cell carcinoma will facilitate earlier clinical diagnosis and improve the treatment prognosis.

Tags:

basal cell carcinoma, depth of invasion, diagnostic errors, facial T-zone, mixed basal cell epithelioma, oncodermatology

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2026 Issue 1, 180, 489-498 pages, index UDC 616.5-006-092-07-06

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2026-1-180-489-498

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