Aneuploidy, but not Ki-67 or EGFR expression, is associated with recurrences in basal cell carcinoma

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common skin cancer, has an overall excellent prognosis, but recurrences are frequent. The value of classical clinical and histological prognostic factors to predict recurrences remain limited. Methods: In order to evaluate the prognostic value of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) expression, Ki-67 antigen expression and DNA ploidy, we compared primary tumors in 20 patients who had subsequent local recurrences and 20 matched controls without recurrences. DNA ploidy was determined by image cytometry, and EGFR and Ki-67 expression were studied by immunohistochemistry. Results: Statistical analysis of the intensity and the percentage of EGFR expression and Ki-67 antigen expression did not show any significant difference between the two groups. In contrast, we found that 78% of primary BCC in patients who experienced recurrences vs. 32% in the control group were aneuploid (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Aneuploidy is a risk factor for recurrences. This factor should be useful in clinical practice and require evaluation in further studies.