Related Experiment Videos
Basal cell carcinomas: do they need to be followed up?
A J Park1, M Strick, J D Watson
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Bangour General Hospital, Livingston, West Lothian, UK.
Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Routine follow-up after basal cell carcinoma (BCC) excision may not be necessary. Complete surgical removal of BCC is key to preventing recurrence, making post-operative outpatient visits unnecessary for fully excised lesions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent malignant skin tumor.
- Current practices for patient follow-up after BCC excision lack standardization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the necessity of routine outpatient follow-up for patients who underwent primary BCC excision.
- To determine the recurrence rates associated with complete versus incomplete BCC excision.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of case notes was conducted.
- Data from 192 patients with 215 primary BCC lesions excised between 1986 and 1987 were reviewed.
Main Results:
- The overall BCC recurrence rate was 5.1%.
- Lesions with incomplete excision had a recurrence rate of 39%, compared to only 1% for completely excised lesions.
Conclusions:
- Complete surgical excision is the critical factor in achieving surgical control of BCC.
- Routine outpatient follow-up is not indicated for patients whose BCC has been completely excised.