title: Basal cell carcinoma with ossification.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoma cutis, the presence of lamellar bone in the skin, is relatively common. This process is divided into two categories: primary osteoma cutis and secondary osteoma cutis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic features of patients in whom lamellar bone developed in cutaneous basal cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the features of five cases of osteoma cutis associated with basal cell carcinoma and obtained detailed clinical information from those patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All five patients had significant underlying medical conditions, including two patients who were receiving interferon alfa-2b therapy. Three patients had been previously treated with electrodesiccation and curettage. The amount of sun exposure experienced by these patients varied. Histologically, the basal cell carcinomas were of the nodular or micronodular variety. Bone was found both in the stroma and intratumorally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of bone within basal cell carcinomas is not uncommon and may be more prevalent in patients with an underlying medical disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Dermatology), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology