The Significance of a Single Injury in the Causation of Basal‐Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

Abstract

The case records arc reported of 13 patients who gave a history of a well-remembered injury, which appeared to have resulted, within a comparatively short period of time, in the development of a basal-cell carcinoma at the same site. Although it is likely that, if such an injury is relevant, it has only accelerated the appearance of a tumour in a precancerous area, it is, none the less, curious that this happening is more commonly recorded in the pathogenesis of a basal-cell carcinoma than in that of a squamous-cell carcinoma. In seven of the cases the injury was a thermal one.

Skin cancer in skin of color

“…12 BCC that arises in scars typically develops in sun-exposed areas on older patients. 12,97 This finding suggests a synergistic role between trauma and UVR. 12 The clinical presentation and histologic features of BCC are similar in blacks, Asians, and Caucasians.…”

“…1,12,72,[96][97][98] One study showed physical and thermal trauma to be particularly important risk factors for BCC in Asian Indians. 12 BCC that arises in scars typically develops in sun-exposed areas on older patients.…”

Pattern of eye diseases among welders in a Nigeria community

“…Long term chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation is associated with conditions like pterygia, pingueculae, band-shaped keratopathy and climatic droplet keratopathy 8 . Thermal burns from hot metal can also occur when welding and contribute to the risk of developing skin and ocular damage 14 . Erhabor 5 in a study of the pulmonary functions of 54 gas welders in Ile-Ife reported that 51.1% of the gas welders complained of eye irritation.…”

Basal‐Cell Carcinoma Occurring in an Axilla: A Case Presentation and a Review of Factors Related to Tumor Development

“… Incontrovertible evidence of the burn or trauma must exist with a physical wound or scar. The law of localities, by which the cancer must arise within the boundaries of the traumatized area. The absence of any precursor or similar neoplasm on the site of injury prior to the development of the cancer. The histologic type of cancer must be compatible with the tissue found in wounds or scars. The interval of time between the date of injury and the onset of cancer must be proper 51,52 …”

“…Thirdly, the idea of trauma as a major cause of basal‐cell epithelioma is not substantiated in the numbers reported, as compared to the numerous injuries that occur to humans worldwide on a daily basis. Finally, no animal model exists in which a single injury alone results in the development of cancer 51 …”