Basal Cell Vs Squamous

Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry in the Differential Diagnosis of

Cutaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
December 2004
by Rodney T. Miller, M.D., Director of Immunohistochemistry
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
are two of the most common cutaneous tumors seen
by pathologists. In the large majority of cases, the
distinction between these two tumors is readily
made on the basis of standard H&E morphology.
However, many of us see cases from time to time
that for one reason or another (minuscule biopsy,
mishandled specimen, crushed beyond recognition,
dryed out, poorly fixed, etc., etc.), it is difficult to
know for certain whether one is dealing with a squamous carcinoma or a basal cell carcinoma. This
month, we discuss several immunostains that can be
of utility in approaching this problem.
It is worth mentioning that both basal cell carcinoma
and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma characteristically express strong and diffuse high molecular
weight cytokeratin, cytokeratin 5 (or cytokeratin
5/6) and nuclear p63, so the absence of staining with
these markers (assuming adequate tissue and technique of course) should lead you to consider another
diagnosis.
Basal cell ca
Squamous ca
H&E
EMA
BerEP4
SMA
EMA is a useful antibody for this problem, since
basal cell carcinomas are negative for EMA,
although occasionally lumina associated with sebaceous differentiation in these tumors may show
EMA positivity. In contrast, most squamous cell
carcinomas of the skin will have substantial EMA
immunoreactivity.
Ber-EP4 is also a useful marker, as basal cell carcinomas are typically positive for this marker, unlike
cutaneous squamous carcinoma. Interestingly, noncutaneous squamous carcinomas (e.g., pulmonary

squamous carcinoma) may express Ber-EP4, so conceivably reactivity of Ber-EP4 in a known cutaneous
squamous tumor might suggest the possibility of
metastatic squamous carcinoma, although I do not
THE FOCUS - Immunohistochemistry
December 2004
know of any published reports that have specifically

addressed that question.
REFERENCES:
Interestingly, smooth muscle actin (SMA) has been
found to be expressed in a significant number of
basal cell carcinomas of the skin (13 of 17 cases in
one study). Indeed, we have observed strong SMA
reactivity in a number of basal cell carcinomas that
we have stained, although the frequency of reactivity
is not as high in our hands as in some published
series. Cutaneous squamous carcinomas are negative for SMA.
BCL-2 has been reported by some authors to be useful in this situation, since basal cell carcinomas are
typically diffusely positive for this marker.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are generally
negative, although some authors describe focal positivity enough to 26% of cutaneous squamous carcinoms.
1. Wick MR: Practical immunohistology of cutaneous neoplasms: an update. Presentation at the

American Society of Dermatopathology Companion
Meeting, 2004 Annual Meeting of the United States
and Canadian Academy of Patholgy, Vancouver, BC,
March 7, 2004.
2. Jimenez FJ et al: Ber-EP4 immunoreactivity in
normal skin and cutaneous neoplasms. Mod Pathol
8(8): 854-858, Oct 1995.
3. Peterdy G et al: Immunohistochemical separation
of microcystic adnexal carcinoma from basal cell
carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Mod
Pathol 14(1):72A (abstract # 407), Jan 2001.
4. Varma M et al: Expression of smooth muscle antigens in basal cell carcinomas of skin. Mod Pathol
In summary, when faced with the differential diagno- 12(1):65A (abstract # 365), Jan 1999.
sis of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma versus cutaneous squamous carcinoma, a reasonable first 5. Williams GA et al: Immunoreactivity for alphaapproach would be to employ immunostains for smooth muscle actin aids in the separation of basal
EMA and Ber-EP4. If these results are not diagnos- cell carcinoma from both squamous cell carcinoma
tic, immunostains for SMA and BCL-2 would be and trichoepithelioma. Lab Investig 78(1):54A
worth a try. Again, if the tumor in question does not (abstract # 303), Jan 1998.
show strong high molecular weight cytokeratin,
cytokeratin 5, cytokeratin 5/6, and nuclear p63, consideration of another diagnosis would be prudent.
Results of expected staining in these tumors are listed in table below.
Expected Immunophenotype:
EMA Ber-EP4
SMA
BCL-2
Basal Cell ca
+ or -
Squamous ca
- or focal+
Rodney T. Miller, M.D.

Director of Immunohistochemistry
214-237-1631 Fax 214-237-1770
[email protected]
Prior Editions are available for download on our website.
8267 Elmbrook Dr, Ste 100 Dallas, Texas 75247-4009

(214) 638-2000 Fax: (214) 905-3457
www.propathlab.com
2004 ProPath. All Rights Reserved.

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Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry in the Differential Diagnosis of

cutaneous squamous carcinoma. Interestingly, noncutaneous squamous carcinomas (e.g., pulmonary

THE FOCUS - Immunohistochemistry

know of any published reports that have specifically

1. Wick MR: Practical immunohistology of cutaneous neoplasms: an update. Presentation at the

Rodney T. Miller, M.D.

8267 Elmbrook Dr, Ste 100 Dallas, Texas 75247-4009

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