Recurrence or <i>de novo</i>? Intradermal Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scrotum: A Report of Two Cases

• Main Authors: Kaori Yamazaki (Author), Maho Maejima (Author), Hidehisa Saeki (Author), Shin-Ichi Osada (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/dermatopathology10020019; 2296-3529
• Keywords: basal cell carcinoma; scrotum; recurrence; stem cells; nodular; micronodular; Dermatology; RL1-803
• Source: Dermatopathology, Vol 10, Iss 2, Pp 128-135 (2023)

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy, usually occurring in sun-exposed areas. Although BCC in the scrotal region is uncommon, it carries a higher risk of metastasis than BCC at other sites. Here, we report two cases of BCC that developed in the scrotal region: Case 1 presented as a superficial nodule and Case 2 as a subcutaneous nodule. Histopathologically, both tumors lacked continuity with the surface epidermis and formed an intradermal nodule. In Case 1, BCC occurred for the first time and presumably developed <i>de novo</i>. Case 2 underwent excision of a scrotal BCC 5 years previously, and the histopathological diagnosis at that time was nodular BCC. However, when the original specimen was re-examined, it was determined that, although the tumor had been completely resected, part of the lesion had moved away from the nodular area to represent a micronodular phenotype, an aggressive BCC subtype. We hypothesized that partial evolution from a nodular to a micronodular phenotype may have contributed to the recurrence of BCC in Case 2.