The Histogenesis of Superficial Basal-Cell Epitheliomas

Thickness of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) predicts imiquimod efficacy: a proposal for a thickness-based definition of sBCC

“…Original descriptions presumed multifocality. 24,25 This presumption was subsequently disproved using computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstructions. 26 According to the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification, 'The histopathology consists of superficial lobules of basaloid cells which project from the epidermis or from the sides of follicles or eccrine ducts into the dermis and are surrounded by loose myxoid stroma.…”

Origin of the Human Basal Cell Epithelioma**From the Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University College of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.

“…in size unconnected to either hair follicles or sweat ducts (17,18); 3) in Jablonska's report (19) of a 35-year-old woman having numerous widespread basal cell papules, a group of such papules was found between the great and second toes where no hair follicles or sebaceous glands exist. The sections showed the typical structure of a basal cell epithelioma; 4) Pinkus (20) has recently studied the biopsy specimen from the dorsum of the distal phalanx of the fifth finger of a 48-year-old woman who had received much x-ray therapy for hand eczema.…”

“…In his studies of the origins of the basal cell epithelioma, Madsen (17,18) has argued against a multicentric origin of such tumors. He pointed out that in its early stages the tumor destroys the rete ridges.…”

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Basal Cell Carcinomas

“…Braun and colleagues have taken up research on a topic that was first elegantly presented in 1941, 1 1955, 2 and 1965 3 by Madsen, with a sophisticated twenty‐first century twist. We have, for the most part, accepted as gospel that basal cell carcinomas grow in a contiguous fashion, although not all authors are convinced that this is the case, 4 with authors in this esteemed journal raising doubt about this concept.…”