[Comparing the prevalence of mast cells out the stroma of basal cell carcinoma and control group]

Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequently observed neoplasm of human skin. Many genetic and environmental factors contribute to pathogenesis of skin. It is shown that mast cell-derived histamine is an important mediator of systemic immunomodulation caused by UVB. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of dermal mast cells in BCC patients and control subjects with not inflammatory lesions in sunlight exposure site. Biopsy samples from sun-exposed skin were obtained from 40 BCC patients and 10 control subjects. Histological sections were prepared using H and E and Giemsa stains. Mast cells were counted in the whole specimen and mean number of mast cells per high power field [x40] was determined. We found a significant increase in the number of peritumoral mast cells comparing those in control group. [p< 0.001, student t-test] No significant association was found between the frequency of mast cells and age or gender. The association between high dermal mast cell prevalence and BCC development support for the concept that mast cells may be important to UVB-induced systemic immunosuppression in human. The results can be used as the baseline for future studies and development of new methods for medical treatment leading to prevention, suppressing the development and invasion, or eventually elimination of the tumor