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Risk factors for local recurrence of basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third of the face: a 15-year retrospective analysis based on a single centre

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology

Abstract

Background

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the commonest malignancy worldwide (>80% located in the head and neck area).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess risk factors predisposing to local recurrence of NMSC of the middle third of the face (MTF).

Materials and methods

This was a single-centre retrospective analysis of patients with NMSC of the MTF treated during 1995–2010. Data on epidemiological and tumour characteristics were collected. Survival analysis was performed and log-rank tests were used to compare differences in survival for each variable.

Results

A total of 531 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the MTF were identified. Most tumours were nodular type (28.4%), located on the nose (34.3%), and confined to the dermis (75.5%). Negative margins were achieved in 91% of cases. Median follow-up time was 35 months and 15.2% of patients developed local recurrence. Incomplete excision was the only variable predisposing to local recurrence. The cohort also included 114 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Most tumours were well differentiated (43.9%), located at the zygomatic area (49.1%), excised with negative margins (93%), and confined to the dermis (67.8%). At a median follow-up time of 42 months, local recurrence occurred in 15.7% of patients. Tumour size, depth of invasion, and prior history of head and neck SCC were risk factors for local recurrence.

Conclusion

The variables predictive of recurrence of BCC were incomplete excision and for SCC tumour size, depth of invasion, and a prior history of head and neck SCC.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aristotle University, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University Campus, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Eleni Bourlidou, Kostas Vahtsevanos & Ioannis Tilaveridis

  2. Skin Cancer Unit, Azienda USL Reggio Emilia - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Athanassios Kyrgidis

  3. 2nd Dermatology Department, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Ring Road, 56403, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Aikaterini Patsatsi

  4. Department of Oral Medicine/Pathology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece

    Dimitrios Andreadis

  5. Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece

    Angeliki Cheva

  6. Drug Development Unit, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, 93 Harley street, London, W1G 6AD, UK

    Anna Patrikidou

  7. Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Pandazidou 193, 68200, Orestiada, Greece

    Kyriaki Kitikidou

  8. 3rd Ophthalmology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece

    Kostas Boboridis

Authors
  1. Eleni Bourlidou
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  2. Kostas Vahtsevanos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eleni Bourlidou.

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Bourlidou, E., Vahtsevanos, K., Kyrgidis, A. et al. Risk factors for local recurrence of basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the middle third of the face: a 15-year retrospective analysis based on a single centre. Eur J Dermatol 29, 490–499 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2019.3643

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