Korean J Dermatol.  2021 Aug;59(7):555-559.

Successfully Treated Basal Cell Carcinoma with Mohs Surgery, Diagnosing with Dermoscopy as a Primary Diagnostic Tool without Preoperative Punch Biopsy: A Report of Two Cases

• Jeong J
• Seul T
• Park Bg
• Oh H
• Kim IH

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the skin, with a nearly 2-fold increase in incidence rates over the last two decades. A punch biopsy is considered the primary diagnostic tool for BCC; however, recent studies have reported favorable sensitivity and specificity of dermoscopy as a diagnostic tool for this malignancy. Diagnosis of BCC using the “Menzies criteria” was associated with high sensitivity, and surgery performed immediately after clinico-dermoscopic diagnosis was associated with a high positive predictive value. Therefore, in view of the high diagnostic accuracy, positive predictive value, and cost-effectiveness, direct surgical treatment without preoperative biopsy may serve as a primary therapeutic strategy for BCCs that present with typical clinico-dermoscopic features. We report two cases of BCC in patients who underwent successful Mohs microsurgery without preoperative biopsy, using dermoscopy as a primary diagnostic tool.

Keyword

Basal cell carcinoma; Dermoscopy; Menziescriteria