Physical examination revealed a pearly nodule with overlying telangiectasia. Clinical Manifestations Basal cell carcinomas present clinically as pearly papules or plaques. They are usually flesh-colored, but may be pigmented, especially in darker skinned individuals. These tumors often have visible superficial blood vessels, or telangiectasias, on their surface. With minor trauma, these tumors tend to bleed and may form central eschars to create the so-called rodent ulcer.
Metastases are rare.
Often, the differential diagnosis will include malignant melanoma. Often occurring on the trunk, superficial basal cell carcinomas may appear as well-demarcated erythematous plaques that may be easily confused with psoriasis, nummular eczema, or tinea corporis. As basal cell carcinomas grow, they may produce areas of apparent regression. These morpheaform areas clinically appear as a scar, but the tumor often extends histologically well beyond the clinically visible area. Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma is obtained through histologic verification.