Surgical option for nonmelanoma skin cancer.
BACKGROUND
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most frequent malignancies in the general population. Its best treatment option is the complete excision of the lesion. Mohs' micrographic surgery has demonstrated to be the surgical method with the highest cure rates, however, it is not available in many countries or institutions.


METHODS
We propose, as a treatment option for high-risk BCC, surgical resection of the tumor with transoperatory histological examination with the hematoxilin-eosin technique, delaying closure of the wounds until the margins and surgical bed are tumor-free.


RESULTS
We studied 83 patients with BCC; 49 were treated with the transoperatory technique and delay closure. We observed no recurrence in any patient that we followed up and there were no complications resulting from the technique in a 25-month follow up.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend this technique for tumors with high-risk of recurrence if Mohs' micrographic surgery is not available.
Pichardo-Velázquez
Patricia
P
Dermatological Surgery Department, Hospital Dr Manuel Gea González, México City, México. ppichardov@yahoo.com.mx
Domínguez-Cherit
Judith
J
Vega-Memije
M a Elisa
Ma
Moreno-Coutiño
Gabriela
G
Proy
Héctor
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome