Solar keratosis can be distinguished from superficial basal cell carcinoma by expression of bcl-2.
Criteria for the histological diagnosis of solar keratosis (SK) and superficial basal cell carcinoma (SBCC) are well defined. On occasion, however, the distinction can be difficult, particularly when evaluating small-punch or superficial shave biopsies in which the overall global architectural pattern of the lesion is not represented. As bcl-2 expression has been established in basal cell carcinoma, this study was undertaken to determine whether it could be employed as a basis for distinguishing SBCC from SK. Ten cases each of typical SBCC and SK were studied. Every example of SBCC showed strong uniform expression of the bcl-2 gene product Bcl-2, whereas all examples of SK were uniformly negative. It is suggested, therefore, that this simple technique is a reliable method for distinguishing these two closely related but disparate lesions.
Mills
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AE
Dorevitch Pathology, Bendigo, Australia.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D001706:Biopsy; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007642:Keratosis / Q000473:pathology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2