Elastic Fibers in Superficial Basal Cell Epithelioma

The development of elastic fibers within the fibrous stroma of basal cell epithelioma has previously been reported (1). Because these cases only included material from sun-exposed regions, the influence of actinic exposure on elastic fibers could not be eliminated. It was therefore thought necessary to review a series of basal cell epitheliomas from areas not exposed to actinic irradiation and observe the elastic fibers. periphery of solid epithelial nestsf (Figure 1A). In the two other cases, the thin elastic fibers were found lying in a brush-like arrangement at the periphery of the epithelial nests within the stroma (Figure IB). DISCUSSION The study of elastic fibers in cases of superficial basal cell epithelioma from sun-protected areas was TABLE Elastic fibers in superficial basal cell epithelioma-sun protected areas Case Number Age and Sex Duration of Tumor Anatomical Location Pattern of Elastic Fibers within the Tumor 1 70 F-W 1 year Upper Chest Sheaths of elastic fibers surrounding tumor nests 2 64 F-W 20 years Upper Thigh Sheath like 3 42 F-W 1 month Upper Back Sheath like 4 50 F-W 4 years Breast Sheath like 5 40 F-W 6 months Lower Back Sheath like 6 40 F-W 4 years Posterior Leg Sheath like 7 70 M-W 10 years Midback Sheath like 8 35 M-W 1 year Upper Thigh Brush like pattern of elastic fibers 9 60 F-W Unknown Posterior Hip Brush like MATERIALS AND OBSERVATIONS One hundred cases of superficial basal cell epitheliomas on unexposed areas were reviewed. Sections were stained with acid orcein and Giemsa. The series included 43 men and 57 women with the average age of 55 years. Newly-formed elastic fibers were found in nine cases. The clinical data on these nine cases are given in the Table. The newly-formed elastic fibers in the fibrous stroma of basal cell epithelioma are much thinner than those of the surrounding normal corium. They are found in two different patterns. In seven cases, the thin orceinophilic fibers formed sheaths at the done mainly to supplement the previous work. In the present study no evidence of solar elastosis was present in the skin at the periphery of the tumor. Formation of elastic sheaths surrounding the epithelial nests in basal cell epithelioma resembles those seen at the periphery of normal hair follicles. This resemblance may be explained if one considers basal cell epithelioma as a monstrous attempt in adnexogenesis in post-embryonal incompetent skin (2, 3). Solar exposure seems to play no definite role in the formation of elastic fibers. Newly-formed elastic fibers were seen in nine of the hundred cases of superficial basal cell epithelioma on non-solar-exposed areas. The pattern f A similar pattern was seen in the previous study of basal cell epithelioma from sun-exposed areas.