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European Journal of Dermatology

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Pathological nerve patterns in human basal cell carcinoma Volume 31, numéro 3, May-June 2021

Illustrations


  • Figure 1

  • Figure 2

  • Figure 3

  • Figure 4
Auteurs
Giovanni Nicoletti 1 2 *
Marco Mario Tresoldi 1 3
Anna Maria Gatti 4
Margherita Sandano 5
Manuela Agozzino 6
Laura Villani 6
Angela Faga 2
Michelangelo Buonocore 4
1 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Clinical Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Brambilla, 74, 27100 Pavia, Italy
2 Advanced Technologies for Regenerative Medicine and Inductive Surgery Research Center, University of Pavia, Viale Brambilla, 74, 27100 Pavia, Italy
3 Department of Surgery, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SB SpA IRCCS, Via Salvatore Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
4 Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SB SpA IRCCS, Via Salvatore Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
5 General Surgery Residency Program, University of Trieste, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Ospedale Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste 34149, Italy
6 Pathological Anatomy and Histology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SB SpA IRCCS, Via Salvatore Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
* Reprints

Background

The peculiar combined, or binary involvement of epithelium and stroma makes basal cell carcinoma (BCC) a unique tumour. Nerve fibres have been shown to play an active role in different cancers.

Objective

A prospective observational study was carried out on punch biopsies harvested within BCC surgical excision specimens.

Materials & Methods

A total of 10 samples of histologically diagnosed BCC, derived from 10 different patients (five females, five males), was included in the study. Within the BCCs, seven different histological sub-types were identified: morphea-like, basosquamous, micronodular, mixed nodular-micronodular, adenoid, nodular and superficial multifocal. Nerve fibres were stained for indirect immunofluorescence targeting protein gene product 9.5.

Results

Three different morphological patterns of nerve fibre distribution within the BCCs were identified. Pattern 1 displayed a normal skin nerve pattern, in which the fibres were dislodged by the growing tumour masses. Pattern 2 featured a ball of curved, tangled nerve fibres close to the tumour masses, slightly resembling piloneural collar nerve fibres, wrapped around hair follicles in the normal anatomical setting. Pattern 3 showed nerve fibres crowding in the sub-epidermal layer with focal epidermal hyperinnervation. Such a pattern is reminiscent of the typical anatomical neuro-epithelial interaction in mechanosensory organs.

Conclusion

Our study may disclose a hidden third player, of nerves. Thus, tissue involvement of BCCs may be better represented by the triad of epithelium, stroma and nerves, each component retaining some features associated with its developmental setting.