BASAL-CELL CARCINOMAS OF COVERED AND UNUSUAL SITES OF THE BODY

Background The concept of unusual site for a basal cell carcinoma (BCC ) has to be defined because there is much confusion about it. Basal ce ll carcinomas of covered areas of the body are sometimes considered as unusual because of their location. In this study an attempt is made t o define what is an unusual site for a BCC according to experience and the problems encountered are briefly discussed. Methods A total of 10 50 histologically-confirmed primary BCCs were studied. Age, sex and si te of presentation were considered. Results Eighteen cases were record ed, localized on hand, axilla, areola or nipple, buttock, perineal, an d genital regions. Conclusions Unusual location has been arbitrarily d efined in the past according to the incidental percentage, to a mathem atical index of density, to the literature reports. All these criteria suffer more or less from some discrepancy, but in our opinion all the se should be considered for a definition. Our results, moreover, sugge st that only the above described sites should be considered.