Single versus Multiple Level Sectioning for the Subtyping of Basal-Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The histological subtype of basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) is often based on a punch biopsy; only a small part is evaluated, possibly leading to misclassification. Consensus on the optimal approach to process punch biopsies is lacking, though accurate subtyping is important for appropriate treatment. OBJECTIVE:The aim is to investigate whether evaluating 4 levels of a punch biopsy instead of 1 or 2 levels leads to more accurate subtyping of BCC. METHODS:In a retrospective study we evaluated 87 punch biopsies of histologically confirmed BCCs. The primary outcome was the proportion of "more aggressive" BCCs (nonsuperficial vs. superficial, infiltrative vs. nodular subtype) that was missed by evaluation on 1 or 2 levels, using 4-level diagnosis as reference standard. RESULTS:Eighty-fiv

SUBMITTER: van Delft LCJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7257255 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature