Curettage and electrodesiccation in the treatment of midfacial basal cell epithelioma

In this study the nose and nasolabial folds are identified as high-risk areas for recurrence of basal cell epithelioma (BCE) following curettage and electrodesiccation (C and D). Following adequate C and D, 30% of lesions in these areas were found to contain residual tumor, compared to only 12% of lesions located elsewhere on the head and neck. Local anatomic determinants of the midface region, which include embryologic fusion planes, close-set rigid sebaceous follicles, and origin of tumor from the outer root sheath of the pilosebaceous unit, may conspire to exceed the inherent limitations of the C and D procedure and clarify the high recurrence rates in this area.