Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. Early diagnosis is usually associated with complete eradication however some subtypes especially infiltrative types are associated with deep invasion, multiple recurrences and wide tissue destruction. Thus, any factor contributing to its development or help in diagnosis is appreciated. The aim of the present study is evaluation and comparison of the membranous expression of HER2 protein in normal skin and cutaneous BCC.

Methods: In this cross sectional study 80 cases of BCC including at least 2 millimeter of surrounding normal skin were selected and analyzed. Immunohistochemical method is used for evaluation of membranous expression of HER2 protein in BCC compared to normal skin.

Results: Of 80 cases studied, 34 (42.5%) were female and 46 (57.5%) were male. Membranous staining was found in 44 (55%) of normal surrounding skin and 6 (7.5%) of BCC cases. The increased membranous expression of HER2 in surrounding normal skin compared to BCC was statistically significant (McNemar test, p< 0.0001). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis of data.

Conclusions: Above findings suggest that HER2 protein could be a factor in developing of BCC and can be used as a negative marker in diagnosis of BCC.