Differences in age and body site distribution of the histological subtypes of basal cell carcinoma. A possible indicator of differing causes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess if there are any significant differences in the sex, anatomical site, and age distribution of patients with different histological subtypes of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).


METHODS
Histopathology reports were analyzed with respect to the subtype of BCC, site of a tumor, and age and sex of a patient.


METHODS
Histopathology reports were reviewed from 1 private laboratory that derived its cases from general practitioners, surgeons, and dermatologists.


METHODS
Patients with BCC (N = 3885) for whom case data were received by the pathology laboratory from January 2, 1991, to June 12, 1991, were included in the study.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Superficial BCCs differed from other subtypes of BCC by occurring more commonly on the trunk and in younger patients.


RESULTS
The mean age (56.8 years) of the patients with superficial BCCs was significantly lower than that of the patients with other subtypes of BCC who were examined (P < .001); the mean ages of the patients with these other subtypes were as follows: nodulosuperficial BCC, 62.9 years; nodular BCC, 63.9 years; nodulomorpheic BCC, 66.1 years; and morpheic BCC, 66.0 years. The majority of superficial BCCs occurred on the trunk and limbs (73.3%), while the majority of all other subtypes occurred on the head and neck.


CONCLUSIONS
Superficial BCC differs from the other subtypes of BCC in terms of patient age and tumor site, and these findings may reflect differences in the etiology.
McCormack
C J
CJ
Dermatology Unit, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Australia.
Kelly
J W
JW
Dorevitch
A P
AP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*