basal cell carcinoma, metatypical type

basal cell carcinoma, metatypical type

An uncommon variant of basal cell carcinoma characterised by nests and strands of basal cells that mature into larger and paler cells with prominent stroma, brisk mitotic activity and apoptosis; peripheral palisading, if present, is less prominent than in other types of BCC. Metatypical BCCs have features between nodular BCCs and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); they are often aggressive, with an increased tendency for lymphatic and perineural spread.