title: Basal cell carcinomas with unusual histologic patterns.
abstract: Uncommon histologic variants of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can present a diagnostic challenge. In this case series, we describe 3 patients with unusual BCCs encountered in a dermatologic surgical unit over a 1-year period from September 2003 to September 2004. The formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded histologic specimens were initially examined microscopically after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Additional stains, including diastase periodic acid-Schiff, colloidal iron, carcinoembryonic antigen, and cytokeratin-20, were subsequently performed as appropriate. Of the 3 lesions, one exhibited apocrine differentiation and two demonstrated a trabecular growth pattern. Although BCCs demonstrating apocrine differentiation have previously been described, a trabecular growth pattern, to our knowledge, has not been previously reported for BCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Angela C S
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hutcheson
authors.forename: Ann Harriott
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Pearon G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*