Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a slow growing, locally aggressive, rarely metastasizing malignant tumor originates from basal layer of skin and invades the surrounding tissue. Differentials for BCC are the diverge group of skin adnexal tumors, rarely squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. A 60 year old female patient presented with single irregular swelling on left nasal ala for 3 years. It was a painful and gradually progressed to present size. Local examination showed areas of crusting and tenderness. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) was done and cytology smears showed cohesive epithelial cell clusters and it was reported as suspicious of malignant epithelial tumor. Cytology report correlated with histopathology and later final diagnosis was given as Basal cell carcinoma. BCC is always a diagnostic dilemma on Cytology for a pathologist.