[The treatment of basal cell carcinoma patients by dermatologists in Netherland].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the policy of dermatologists practising in the Netherlands in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Written enquiry.


METHODS
Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.


METHODS
All 293 dermatologists practising in the Netherlands were sent a questionnaire in May 1996 containing 15 questions about diagnosis and treatment of basal cell carcinoma.


RESULTS
Eighteen forms dropped off because of termination of the practice or joint completion in group practices. The response was 76% (208/275). The diagnosis was made usually on the basis of histological examination (71% of the respondents; 84% in a tumour recurrence). Excision was the preferred treatment for all subtypes of basal cell carcinoma; second choices were cryosurgery or curettage/electrocoagulation. Roentgen contact therapy has been practically abandoned. New methods such as photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy are being used only sporadically on an experimental basis. Most dermatologists regarded tumour recurrences as a bigger problem than primary tumours. They attempt to reduce the percentage of recurrences by giving advice about risk factors (sunlight).


CONCLUSIONS
Too little use is being made of diagnostic biopsy to enable an optimal choice of therapy of basal cell carcinomas, especially in cases of recurrence tumours.
Thissen
M R
MR
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Dermatologie, Maastricht.
Neumann
H A
HA
Berretty
P J
PJ
Ideler
A H
AH
D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000628:therapy; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
De behandeling van patiënten met basalecelcarcinomen door dermatologen in Nederland.