title: Melanoma in situ or superficial basal cell carcinoma?
abstract: Dermoscopy is a non-invasive, in vivo technique that increases accuracy in the diagnosis of both melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin tumors. A 74-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of a slow-growing, asymptomatic, slightly pigmented plaque on the back. The dermoscopic differential diagnosis of melanoma in situ versus superficial basal cell carcinoma is discussed, based on the presentation of peripheral brown irregular finger-like projections. These were also associated with peripheral fine short telangiectasias, shiny white to red structureless areas, a few brown globules, and small erosions. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of superficial pigmented basal cell carcinoma. A brief review of the dermoscopic structures associated with this common nonmelanocytic skin tumor is also made.
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Curry Cabral - Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laureano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D046169:Dermoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery