Standard Surgical Excision of Basal Cell Carcinomas in the Non-H Area of the Face: A Case Series Illustrating an Alternative to Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy among Caucasians. Most studies compare the efficacy of standard surgical excision versus Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers in the high-risk or H area of the face. This case series focuses on the lesser-studied non-H area and suggests the use of standard surgical excision as an alternative to MMS for these regions of the face. Methods: A total of 10 patients with BCCs of the non-H area of the face underwent standard surgical excision with repair at the James A. Lovell Federal Health Center between October 2014 to October 2018. The average age of this group was 77.3 years and all patients were males. Nine of the 10 patients had nodular type BCCs and 1 patient had micronodular type BCC with ulceration. BCCs were located on the forehead in 8 cases and the cheek in 2 cases. Diameters of the lesions ranged from 6mm-8mm. Excision margins were 3- to 5-mm. Defects were repaired using local flaps in 9 cases and linear closure in 1 case. Results: Histopathologic evaluation of the excision specimens revealed clear surgical margins in 9 out of 10 cases. There was one case in which positive deep margins were identified, although the patient had a BCC with a more aggressive histologic pattern. Of the 9 cases with clear surgical margins, none had clinical evidence of local recurrence at follow-up ranging from 2 to 38 months. Discussion: BCCs in the non-H area of the face can be successfully treated using standard surgical excision with a high cure rate and low postoperative complications. MMS should be reserved for BCCs at increased risk for recurrence on the basis of factors such as location in the H area on the face and an aggressive histologic growth pattern (e.g. micronodular, morpheaform, infiltrating, metatypical). Practice points: • Basal cell carcinomas in the non-H area of the face can be successfully treated using standard surgical excision with a high cure rate and low postoperative complications. • Mohs micrographic surgery should be reserved for BCCs at increased risk for recurrence on the basis of factors such as location in the H area on the face and an aggressive histologic growth pattern (e.g. micronodular, morpheaform, infiltrating, metatypical).