Basal cell carcinoma of the periocular region

Basal cell carcinomas of the periocular area present a particular challenge because of the likelihood of damage to vital structures.

More than 10-years experience of treating basal cell carcinomas by Mohs micrographic surgery was reviewed.

Chart analysis of 233 periocular basal cell carcinomas was performed. All patients were contacted either in clinical follow-up or by telephone review.

Two hundred and thirty-three periocular basal cell carcinomas were analyzed out of a total of 3, 192 basal cell carcinomas treated during this period (7.3%). Patients ranged in age from 17 to 102 years with a mean age of 58.8 years and a median of 59.0 years. Of the patients, 54.5% were female. Mohs micrographic surgery was the prime therapy in 177 patients (75. 9%). Of the lesions, 48.5% occurred in the medial canthal area, 35. 2% on the lower eyelid, 10.7% on the upper eyelid, and 5.6% on the lateral canthus. There was no significant difference between the left/right distribution in males and females. The average follow-up time was 34 months (standard deviation 26.38 months). A cumulative rate of no recurrence tabulated by modified life table analysis was 0.9864.

This study further documents the problems associated with basal cell carcinoma of the periocular area as well as the value of Mohs micrographic surgery as treatment.