title: Does incomplete excision of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid mean tumor recurrence?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Basal cell carcinoma is the most common tumor of the eyelid. In this region, reconstruction is complex and damage to healthy tissue should be minimal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To define the relationship between margin clearance at excision and the recurrence rate of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was conducted with 111 patients submitted to surgery for basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid between 2001 and 2003 and followed up for a period of five years. The patients were evaluated according to age, tumor site, recurrence rate and margin clearance at excision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant association was found between incomplete tumor excision and recurrence except in patients under 56 years of age, female patients and in the case of tumors of the medial canthus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A risk of recurrence in incompletely excised basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid was only confirmed in younger patients, females and for tumors of the medial canthus.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia. jankovic@jotel.co.rs
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jankovic
authors.forename: Predrag
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kovacevic
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Visnjic
authors.forename: Dimitrije
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jankovic
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Binic
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jankovic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome