Expression of the fos oncogene in basal cell carcinoma.

Using immunohistochemical technique and Western blot analysis, we demonstrated the increased expression of the c-fos oncogene in the infiltrative type of solid basal cell carcinoma (BCC), but low or no expression in the circumscribed type of solid BCC. The infiltrative type is called aggressive BCC and had been shown to exhibit a higher rate of recurrence than the circumscribed type. Our results indicate that increased expression of the fos oncogene is closely related to the invasive ability of the tumor cells.