Superficial BCC — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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ModerateSkin CancerSuperficial BCCSCE Dermatology

A 50-year-old man has a dermatoscopy examination of a suspected BCC on his nose. He sees short fine telangiectasia (SFT) rather than arborising vessels. What type of BCC is characterised by SFT on dermoscopy?

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Correct answer: A — Superficial BCC

Short fine telangiectasia (SFT) — multiple fine, short, branching vessels visible on dermoscopy — is characteristic of superficial BCC. This contrasts with nodular BCC, which shows arborising (thick, bright, branching tree-like) vessels. Superficial BCC also shows leaf-like areas (maple leaf structures), spoke-wheel areas, and shiny white structures (on polarised dermoscopy). Recognising the dermoscopic pattern of superficial BCC is important because it guides treatment selection — superficial BCCs can be treated non-surgically (topical Imiquimod, PDT, 5-FU) whereas nodular BCCs typically require surgical excision. Morphoeic BCC may show white structureless areas and arborising vessels.

Reference: BAD 2016 Dermoscopy Guidelines; BAD 2021 BCC