Abstract
Background
The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the association of the Bcl-2 protein, Ki-67 antigen expression and the apoptotic index with biological behaviour of basal cell carcinoma.
Methods
Combined analysis of retrospective and prospective study of data from two centres over a period of years 2008–2023 on histologically confirmed basal cell carcinoma without any age limitation. Selected prognostic markers related to the aggressive or non-aggressive tumour types were evaluated.
Results
The study cohort included 66 patients with 68 basal cell carcinomas of the eyelids (n = 68). The median age was 68 years. Resection margins < 2 mm were in 33.9 %, without any connection to recurrence rate (p = 0.076). Average value of Bcl-2 expression in non-aggressive types was 82.65 % (p = 0.000). The value of Ki-67 expression in patients with non-aggressive tumours amounted to 35.49 % (p = 0.068). Non-aggressive tumours most frequently exhibited the apoptotic index of Grade I (p = 0.535). No Grade III case was observed in the aggressive types. In two cases, the orbital exenteration was carried out (0.03 %). In one case was administered biological therapy. HDR brachytherapy was applied in 6 cases. A recurrence of the disease was observed in 4 cases (0.06 %).
Conclusion
New information on cancer biomarkers in basal cell carcinoma contribute to choosing a correct therapy with achieving good aesthetic results and a good survival rate.
Key words: Bcl-2 protein, Ki-67 antigen, apoptotic index, basal cell carcinoma, onco-ophthalmology