Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The basal cell carcinoma (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">BCC</jats:styled-content>) assessment in dermoscopy is based on the recognition of specific characteristics synthesized and described as classical and non‐classical criteria, but which may not necessarily present all at the same time. Consequently, a deep knowledge in detecting the aforementioned dermoscopic criteria is crucial in diagnosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate which criteria are more frequently recognized among a group of low‐experienced dermoscopists when confronted with the difficult diagnosis of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">BCC</jats:styled-content> with a diameter lower than 5 mm. We examined 100 <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">BCC</jats:styled-content> finding that data displays a full agreement only for one classical criterion, the lack of pigmented network (Fleiss' κ = 1), while among other classical criteria only arborizing vessels and ulceration exhibit a good agreement among observers (Fleiss' κ > 0.40). Analyzing non‐classical criteria, only blue‐whitish veil and blue in‐focus dots show a good agreement among low‐experience observers (Fleiss' κ > 0.40). It is evident that in small size <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">BCC</jats:styled-content> classic dermoscopic criteria are often substituted by non‐classical criteria, which represent the neoplasm's early phase. Thus, it is of importance, especially for low‐experience dermoscopists, to analyze even the non‐classical criteria in order to obtain a diagnosis of early <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">BCC</jats:styled-content>.</jats:p>