Basal cell carcinoma on the dorsum of the hand: report of 11 cases

Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignan cy, although the appearance on the dorsum of the hand appears to be rare. Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify and describe patients with BCC of the dorsum of the hand in a large cohort of BCC patients and to provide a review of the literature. Methods Eleven patients with a BCC on the dorsum of the hand were identifie d. Information on age at diagnosis, sex, treatment and follow up, presence of additional malignancies, etc., was gathered from medical records. Results Between January 1985 and December 1995, 2990 BCCs were registered, of which 11 were located on the dorsal aspect of the hand (0.37%). Nine pat ients were male and most patients had a history of multiple skin malignanci es. Most of the BCCs were nodular or had a nodular component. Solar elastos is was frequently seen. The percentage of 0.37% compares well with BCC loca ted on the dorsum of the hand in other studies, but also with other parts o f the body per skin surface area (except the face and neck area). Conclusions The density of BCC on the dorsum of the hand is much lower than in the face and neck area but compares well with other parts of the body.