JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human cancer. Costs of treatment have raised major concerns globally. Guidelines for management appear to vary between countries. What is needed is an accurate risk assessment of BCC prior to surgery to reduce treatment costs.

Objective:

We review the literature about guidelines for management of BCC and analyse potential indicators of high-risk BCC. Using this risk assessment approach, we propose pathways that will be able to save time and resources for both patients and practitioners

Methods:

We review the different immunohistochemical angiogenic markers for high-risk BCC.

Results:

Angiogenic agent expressions--IL-6, VEGF-A, mast cell--in BCC correlates to aggressiveness.

Conclusions:

Based on our research, we conclude that risk assessment and stratification of BCC using angiogenic markers can help lower treatment costs and propose pathways.