Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in the white population. Nonsurgical treatments are first-line alternatives in superficial BCC (sBCC); therefore, differentiating between sBCC and non-sBCC is of major relevance for the clinician. Scraping cytology possesses several advantages, such as an earlier diagnosis and scarring absence, in comparison to a biopsy. Nevertheless, previous studies reported difficulties in differentiating the different BCC subtypes. The objective of this study was to determine the capability and accuracy of scraping cytology to differentiate between sBCC and non-sBCC. Methods: In this retrospective study, cytological samples of histologically confirmed BCC were examined. Select cytological features were correlated to BCC subtypes (sBCC or non-sBCC). Results: A total of 84 BCC samples were included (29 sBCC; 55 non-sBCC). An inverse correlation between the diagnosis of sBCC and the presence of mucin, dehiscence, and grade of atypia in the basal cells was observed. The presence of medium and large basal cell clusters correlated directly to a sBCC diagnosis. The presence of clear cells is strongly associated with sBCC. Therefore, Conclusion: Scraping cytology is reliable in differentiating sBCC from other BCC subtypes.

Carcinoma mucoepidermoide; Carcinomatosis peritoneal Resumen Introducción: Los tumores de glándulas salivales son neoplasias poco frecuentes y representan menos del 5% de todos los tumores de cabeza y cuello. El carcinoma mucoepidermoide representa un 10-15% de todas las neoplasias de las glándulas salivales y aproximadamente un 30% de los tumores malignos salivales. El comportamiento biológico y las manifestaciones clínicas de este tipo de tumores son variables y se correlacionan con el estadio y grado histológico, siendo la presencia de metástasis a distancia un hallazgo inhabitual (en especial, en tumores de grado bajo o intermedio). Caso clínico: Paciente de 65 años de edad con antecedentes de tabaquismo, a quien se diagnostica carcinoma mucoepidermoide de grado intermedio de glándula submandibular izquierda tratado con cirugía más radioterapia adyuvante, y que presenta progresión metastásica hepática y carcinomatosis peritoneal a los 26 meses de seguimiento.