BASAL-CELL CARCINOMA WITH OSSIFICATION

Background: Osteoma cutis, the presence of lamellar bone in the skin, is relatively common. This process is divided into two categories: pri mary osteoma cutis and secondary osteoma cutis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic featur es of patients in whom lamellar bone developed in cutaneous basal cell carcinoma. Methods: We evaluated the features of five cases of osteom a cutis associated with basal cell carcinoma and obtained detailed cli nical 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 pre viously treated with electrodesiccation and curettage. The amount of s un exposure experienced by these patients varied. Histologically, the basal cell carcinomas were of the nodular or micronodular variety. Bon e was found both in the stroma and intratumorally. Conclusion: The pre sence of bone within basal cell carcinomas is not uncommon and may be more prevalent in patients with an underlying medical disorder.