Observational study of a series of basal cell carcinomas: Evaluation of location as a risk factor for recurrence

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is locally aggressive and its prognosis depends on the risk of recurrence. The initial location of the tumor is a key criterion for calculating the risk of recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sites that appear to be most at risk of recurrence of BCC. All cases of BCC analyzed at the anatomopathology laboratory of the University Hospital of Montpellier for 1 year were retrospectively included. In case of recurrence on the same site, only carcinomas that had previously been completely removed were analyzed. Among 803 BCC, 37 (4.6%) were confirmed as recurrent, including 34 (92%) on the head. The locations statistically at higher risk of recurrence were the temporal and frontal/temporal areas (32.4%), the medial canthus and lower eyelid area (18.9%), the ala and tip of the nose (16.2%), and the ears (8.1%). The frontal/temporal regions appear to be an area of major interest in this series. A high risk of recurrence was confirmed in the periorificial locations for the ear, the nose, and periorbital area, but not for the perioral area. In addition, the entire nose did not appear to be at risk, only the tip and the ala.