Metatypical carcinoma. A review of 327 cases

INTRODUCTION: Metatypical cell carcinoma is a quite rare malignancy (5% of all non melanoma skin cancers), with features of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is described as coexistence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with no transition zone between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 327 consecutive patients, diagnosed for metatypical carcinoma. Statistical analysis was made to determinate most affected areas, gender prevalence, average age, presence of ulceration and infiltration, peripheral clearance rate. RESULTS: A relevant difference came out between two genders. X2 test emphasized a relation between females and the presence of carcinoma on the scalp. In addition a strong correlation between mixed subtype and ulceration was evident. A strong relation between intermediate subtype and positive surgical margin was found; this data could identify a more aggressive behavior of intermediate type. DISCUSSION: Differently from melanoma that usually arises on sun exposed areas, no relation was found between sun exposion and this tumor. This characteristic stresses on the importance of other risks factor apart from sun exposition. CONCLUSIONS: We identify some correlation between our data that cannot be explained with previous interpretation of sun exposition.