Skin Cancer Basal Cell Carcinoma Histology

The cells of a BCC resemble those of the basal layer of the epidermis. They are basophilic, have a large nucleus, and appear to form a basal layer by forming an orderly line around the periphery of tumor nests in the dermis, a feature referred to as palisading.

There are several histologic patterns.

Nodular BCC show a rounded mass of neoplastic cells with a well-defined peripheral contours. Peripheral palisading is well developed.

Superficial BCC contains buds of atypical basal cells extending from the basal layer of the epidermis.

Morpheaform BCC show numerous small, elongated islands containing a few cells that appear as strands or cords in a fibrous stroma.