[Basal cell carcinoma of the face and scalp : An update on treatment options]

The treatment of malignant tumors of the facial skin is an important part of the specialty oral and maxillofacial surgery. In two successive CME articles, important aspects of frequent entities are dealt with for the facial area. The current article deals with basal cell carcinoma, the most common localization of which is by far the facial area. Surgical resection is the treatment modality of first choice. A risk-adapted approach involving complete histopathological margin assessment is recommended for basal cell carcinoma at risk for recurrence or aggressive spread in order to spare healthy skin and to control subclinical tumor growth. There are specific caveats for non-surgical treatment options, such as topical medication, destructive procedures, and radiotherapy. This article describes indications and treatment methods with a focus on surgical resection techniques.