Pigmented basal cell carcinoma in Hispanics

Abstract

Background: Pigmented basal cell carcinoma (PBCC) may occasionally be misdiagnosed as melanoma. In the Hispanic population, PBCC is common.

Objective: We attempted to determine the prevalence of PBCC in a Hispanic population.

Methods: A randomized, blinded, retrospective study was designed to assess histologic slides for the presence of microscopic pigment. Basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) from 30 patients with a Hispanic surname were compared histologically with BCCs from 30 patients with a northern European surname. In the prospective phase of the study, 15 Hispanic and 44 non-Hispanic patients with clinically suspected BCC or PBCC completed a questionnaire about their ethnic background and skin type to determine whether PBCC is more common in Hispanics.

Results: Pigment was identified twice as frequently in BCCs from patients with a Hispanic surname than in BCCs from patients with a northern European surname. In the prospective clinical study, 66% of clinically diagnosed PBCCs were found in Hispanic patients, whereas only 11% of nonpigmented BCCs came from Hispanic patients (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: In patients with a BCC, PBCCs are more common in Hispanics than non-Hispanics. This may reflect an increased incidence of PBCCs in the Hispanic population.