title: [Surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few prospective studies on the recurrence rates of basal cell carcinoma after different surgical modalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  263 primary basal cell carcinomas in as many patients were included from five dermatological departments in Norway. Patients on immunosuppressive medications were not included. All diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology. Primary end point was recurrence after five years, secondary end point cosmetic outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Observational data were available in 245 patients, in 160 at 5 years. Recurrence rate at 5 years was 7% after both surgical excision and cryosurgery. The cosmetic outcome was satisfactory in most cases. Tumour size was a risk factor for recurrence, localization was not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excision surgery and cryosurgery achieve low recurrence rates and acceptable cosmetic outcome in basal cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Hudavdelingen Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo. per.helsing@rikshospitalet.no
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Helsing
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Ase
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haugstvedt
authors.forename: Steinulv
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aarebrot
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todal
authors.forename: Dagfinn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moseng
authors.forename: Mitch
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loeb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome