Recurrence rates of primary basal cell carcinoma in facial risk areas treated with curettage and electrodesiccation - 12/08/11
, Narciso Perez-Oliva, MD, PhD
Reprint requests: Francisco Vázquez-López, MD, PhD, Cra Villaviciosa 14, 3° A, 33203 Gijon, Asturias, Spain.Oviedo, Spain
Abstract |
Background |
The incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is increasing. Curettage and electrodesiccation (CE) are not recommended for BCC treatment at medium- and high-risk facial sites. Surgical excision has been proposed as the treatment of choice.
Objective |
We sought to evaluate the cumulative recurrence rate (RR) of primary BCC in facial areas of medium and high risk after CE.
Methods |
This nonrandomized, clinical trial enrolled 257 patients with primary BCC located in medium- and high-risk facial areas, and treated with 4 or 5 cycles of CE by a single operator from a section specializing in BCC CE in a tertiary teaching hospital in Oviedo, Spain. Exclusion criteria for study entry included: recurrent BCC, fibrosing BCC, ill-defined BCC, and BCC larger than 10 mm in diameter (high-risk facial sites) or larger than 15 mm in diameter (medium-risk sites); BCC smaller than 4 mm; and nonbiopsy-proven BCC. BCCs included in the study were from the nose, and paranasal and nasal-labial fold (n = 105); eyelids and canthi (n = 48); perioral areas (n = 12); ears (n = 11); forehead and temples (n = 48); periauricular areas (n = 14); and malar areas and cheeks (n = 19). The primary outcome was recurrence of carcinoma, which was clinically evaluated by at least two observers in consensus. Data were analyzed using both a life table method and Kaplan-Meier analysis. The statistical analysis included best- and worst-case scenarios (which means that all cases lost to follow-up were considered as recurrences).
Results |
The 5-year cumulative non-RR in the best-case scenario was 98.80% (SE 0.70, 95% confidence interval 97.40%-100%); thus, a 5-year cumulative RR of 1.20% was found after CE in our medium- and high-risk BCCs of the face (best case). The 5-year cumulative non-RR in the worst-case scenario was 79.40% (95% confidence interval 78.90%-79.90%); thus, a 5-year cumulative RR of 20.60%.
Limitations |
Retrospective design with a relatively small number of patients lost to follow-up is a study limitation.
Conclusion |
High 5-year cure rates can be obtained after CE of primary, nonfibrosing BCCs of medium- and high-risk areas of the face performed in a specialized section.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Abbreviations used : BCC, CE, CI, RR
Plan
| Funding sources: None. Conflicts of interest: None identified. |
Vol 56 - N° 1
P. 91-95 - janvier 2007 Retour au numéro
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