Morpheic Basal Cell Carcinoma: Transformation Or Original Pathology?

Abstract

Morpheic basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are considered aggressive and difficult to control. Can prior treatment of a regular BCC initiate its change to a morpheic pattern? 36 patients with diagnosed morpheic BCC were selected. Details of previous surgery and histologic diagnosis were recorded. Out of the 36 patients only 11 had morpheic BCC without previous treatment. Of the 21 who had had prior treatment, 9 had previous histological results available, of which only 1 had an original diagnosis of morpheic BCC. The study prompts the following questions: 1. After treatment can a BCC transform into a more aggressive morpheic type? 2. Can a background of fibrosis such as that produced by freezing, curetting or that seen with chronic wounds initiate a change in the character of the basal cell to the morpheic form to allow its survival in the scar tissue? Presented at the Annual Meeting of The Association of Plastic And Reconstructive Surgeons of Southern Africa, Sun City, South Africa, October 2001.