The incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in those aged <40 years is rising, and a majority of BCCs occur on the head and neck. Research from a recent study suggests that there may be underlying differences in the pathogenesis and natural history of BCC in the younger population, and between males and females. Alternatively, lifestyle factors may also play a role. Researchers sought to determine whether BCCs in the population aged <40 years occur more frequently at the forehead and its subunits (forehead proper, temple, suprabrow, and glabella). They performed a retrospective case review of 4,337 basal cell carcinomas in 3,223 patients treated with Mohs micrographic surgery. They found:

• Patients <40 showed 2.2 fold increased odds of developing BCC at the forehead.
• Being <40 was associated with >2.5 times higher odds of developing BCC at the forehead proper and 2.0 times higher likelihood of developing BCC at the temple.
• Females were associated with 3.8 fold higher odds of developing BCC at the glabella; however, they were less likely to develop BCC at the temple.