Application of Ultraviolet-Enhanced Fluorescence Dermoscopy in Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer. The aim of the current study was to analyze the ultraviolet-enhanced fluorescence dermoscopy (UVFD) characteristics of BCCs.

Methods: BCCs were evaluated under polarized dermoscopy (PD) and UVFD. The findings in PD were described using predefined parameters for dermoscopic evaluation in dermato-oncology. UVFD characteristics were determined based on personal observations, and included interrupted follicle pattern, absence of pink-orange or blue-green fluorescence, well-demarcated borders, and dark silhouettes.

Results: In total, 163 BCCs were analyzed. Under UVFD, the interrupted follicle pattern ( < 0.001), absence of pink-orange fluorescence ( = 0.005) and well-demarcated borders ( = 0.031) were more frequently noted in BCCs < 5 mm than in bigger tumors. Lesions on the face showed clearly defined borders ( = 0.031) and interrupted follicle pattern ( < 0.001) more frequently than tumors located beyond the face. Nodular BCCs displayed interrupted follicle pattern ( = 0.001) and absence of pink-orange fluorescence ( < 0.001) more commonly than superficial subtypes. Non-pigmented BCCs more frequently showed lack of blue-green fluorescence ( = 0.007) and interrupted follicle pattern ( = 0.018) compared to pigmented variants.

Conclusions: UVFD may be a valuable, complementary to PD, tool in the diagnosis of BCC, particularly in small tumors, lesions located on the face and nodular or non-pigmented subtypes.