title: Linear basal cell carcinoma: a distinct clinical entity in the periocular region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report periocular linear basal cell carcinoma (BCC) as a distinct clinical entity, and to highlight its existence in the ophthalmic literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, noncomparative, multicenter, interventional small case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four patients with linear BCC in the periocular region.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients underwent margin-controlled excision, 3 utilizing Mohs' micrographic surgery and 1 using frozen section.
  
  
  METHODS
  Age, gender, location, preoperative tumor size, histological growth pattern, presence of perineural invasion, number of Mohs' levels used to obtain histologic clearance, postoperative defect size, and recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 4 cases, the site of occurrence was in the lower eyelid and cheek. Histology revealed pigmented nodular BCC with an infiltrative component in 2 cases and nodular BCC in the remaining 2 cases. No perineural invasion was noted in any of the cases. Two Mohs' levels were required for complete excision in 3 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Linear BCC is a distinct clinical entity. Presence of the tumor along relaxing skin tension lines, increase in subclinical extension, and aggressive tumor behavior are reported observations. Because of these observations, it is suggested that margin-controlled excision should be considered for linear BCC.
authors.affiliation: Corneoplastic Unit & Eye Bank, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust, East Grinstead, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mavrikakis
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malhotra
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: Shyamala C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huilgol
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Selva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery