Higher expression of VEGF and MMP-9 in KCOTs could be responsible for the aggressive behavior of this cyst that is currently considered a cystic tumor rather than a developmental cyst.

Abstract:Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. The primary established risk factor for BCC is ultraviolet sunlight exposure. Ultraviolet radiation-induced cell damage includes single-stranded breaks and point mutations in DNA. There is increasing evidence that the tumor suppressor gene, patch and other members of the sonic hedgehog signal transduction pathway have an important role in the pathogenesis of BCC. Pigmented BCC is a rare variant with few cases described in English literature in which melanin is produced by melanocytes that colonize the tumor and is present in melanophages located in the surrounding stroma. This paper presents an unusual case of pigmented basal cell carcinoma clinically resembling melanoma.