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Basal cell carcinoma: how long a follow-up is needed? A surgical audit

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Abstract

The records of 278 patients undergoing excision of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in a calendar year were viewed. Eight were recurrent BCC. We were able to conclude that all patients with excised BCC should be followed up for at least three years. No definite correlation could be established between histologic type and recurrence. Also, histopathological adequacy of excision is no guarantee against recurrence at the same site because of the chance of spontaneous tumor cell death between clumps of tumor tissue.

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Thomas, J., McKiernan, M. & Rao, G.S. Basal cell carcinoma: how long a follow-up is needed? A surgical audit. Eur J Plast Surg 19, 318–319 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180326

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