ABSTRACT
Introduction: Among the various widely recognized basal cell carcinoma (BCC) clinical patterns, linear basal cell carcinoma (LBCC) is an uncommon morphologic variant of BCC. Objectives: Describe the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of LBCC. Methods: Retrospective study including LBCC cases from 5 dermatology centers in North and South America. Biopsy-proven primary BCCs, that presented with at least 3:1 length:width ratio on physical examination, irrespective of tumor subtype or location, were included. Clinical and dermoscopic analysis were performed by 2 experts in dermoscopy. Results: Eighteen cases of LBCC met our inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Median age at diagnosis was 86.0 years, 10 patients (58.8%) were males. Regarding anatomic location, 11/18 (61.1%) were located on the head and neck, 5/18 (27.7%) cases were found on the trunk, and 2 on lower extremities (11.1%). Under dermoscopy, 15/18 (83.3%) of LBCC were pigmented. All tumors displayed at least one of the BCC-specific dermoscopic criteria the most common being blue-grey globules (72.2%). Conclusions: Dermoscopy might be useful in the differentiation of LBCC from other diagnoses presenting as linear lesions such as scars, scratches/erosions, and tattoos, among others. Some of these lesions might be confused by naked eye examination alone.
ABSTRACT
Background: Information is an unmet need among cancer survivors. There is a paucity of population-based data examining the health information-seeking behaviors and attitudes of skin cancer survivors. Objective: We aimed to identify the prevalence and patterns of health information-seeking behaviors and attitudes among skin cancer survivors across age groups. Methods: We analyzed population-based data from the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey 5 (Cycle 3). Results: The 5438 respondents included 346 (6.4%) skin cancer survivors (mean age 65.8 years); of the 346 skin cancer survivors, the majority were White (96.4% [weighted percentages]), and 171 (47.8%) were men. Most reported having ever looked for health- (86.1%) or cancer-related (76.5%) information; 28.2% stated their last search took a lot of effort, and 21.6% were frustrated. The internet was most often cited as being the first source that was recently used for health or medical information (45.6%). Compared to skin cancer survivors younger than 65 years old, those 65 years of age or older were more likely to see a doctor first for important health information (≥65 years: 68.3%;<65 years: 36.2%; P<.001) and less likely to have health and wellness apps (≥65 years: 26.4%; <65 years: 54.0%, P=.10), to have watched a health-related YouTube video (≥65 years: 13.3%; <65 years: 27.4%; P=.02), and to have used electronic means to look for information (≥65 years: 61.4%;<65 years: 82.3%, P<.001). Conclusions: Searches for health information are common among skin cancer survivors, but behaviors and attitudes are associated with age, which highlights the importance of access to doctors and personalized information sources.