Recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the facial region -- a clinico-pathological challenge

The observation that the majority of patients with basal cell carcinomas of the face presenting for surgical treatment did previously have radiotherapy or have undergone inadequate excision due to cosmetic considerations of the surgeon, induced us to review our own case material. According to this reassessment, a concept of radical removal was developed which took particular account to the direction of growth of basal cell carcinoma into the depth. Of considerable importance seems to be the unequivocal marking of the excised material prior to its histological work up and the additional removal of sub-focal specimens for separate histological examination.