Histology of a scar-like plaque on the cheek shows thin strands and cords of basaloid cells embedded in a dense fibromyxoid stroma, with scant retraction artifact. This subtype of basal cell carcinoma, associated with the highest local recurrence rate after routine excision, is:

• A Nodular basal cell carcinoma
• B Morpheaform (sclerosing) basal cell carcinoma ✓
• C Superficial basal cell carcinoma
• D Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus

Explanation

Morpheaform basal cell carcinoma shows slender infiltrating strands of basaloid cells within abundant sclerotic stroma, mimicking a scar clinically and histologically. Ill-defined margins make incomplete excision and local recurrence more likely than in the circumscribed nodular type, so Mohs surgery is preferred. Fibroepithelioma of Pinkus shows interanastomosing epithelial strands with a fenestrated pattern, a distinctly different architecture.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.