Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Risk of recurrence according to adequacy of surgical margins.
OBJECTIVE
To examine all basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid diagnosed in Iceland during a 25-year period, paying special attention to the surgical margins of excision in relation to recurrence. Based on the results a simple, clinically relevant method of classifying the surgical margin is proposed.


METHODS
All histologically proven basal cell cancer specimens from eyelids were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical excision margins were classified as radical, marginal or intralesional.


RESULTS
Recurrence risk was low when the tumor had a surgical margin described as radical or marginal. The recurrence rate was 38% when the margin was intralesional.


CONCLUSIONS
By assessing the surgical margins by this method, which is easy to apply, better understanding between the pathologist and the surgeon may be achieved.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik.
H
H
Sigurdsson
B A
BA
Agnarsson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors