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Basal cell carcinoma excision technique yields good cure rate, saves healthy tissue
Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(8):1011-1015.
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An enhanced frozen-section control technique for basal cell carcinoma helped preserve healthy tissue at the surgical margins, according to a study.
The technique, which uses stereoscopic microdissection of surgical margins, produced cure rates comparable to the conventional frozen-section control technique and Mohs' micrographic surgery, the study authors said
"We believe that this enhanced [frozen-section control] technique is a highly effective method for resection of periocular basal [cell carcinoma]," they said.
The retrospective study included 200 lesions in 192 patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma of the periocular region. All tumors were excised en bloc with 1-mm margins and examined with an enhanced frozen-section control technique with stereoscopic microdissection of the surgical margins.
Among 200 malignant tumors, 93% were primary tumors.
The overall tumor recurrence rate was 1% after a mean follow-up interval of 4 years. The recurrence rate was 1.1% after a mean follow-up of 3.9 years among patients with primary tumors. Results showed no recurrences among patients with secondary tumors after a mean follow-up of 4.8 years.
Of the 200 malignant tumors, 66% required a single en block resection to maintain tumor-free surgical margins, the authors said.