Skin Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Cancer, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Meta-analysis of published data on incompletely excised basal cell carcinomas of the ear and nose with introduction of an innovative treatment strategy.

Rogalski C, Kauer F, Simon JC, Paasch U

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, University of Leipzig, Germany. christina.rogalski@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

BACKGROUND: Auricular/nasal basal cell carcinomas (BCC) often require more surgical procedures than BCCs at other sites. METHODS: A meta-analysis of incompletely excised BCCs compares those on the ear and nose to other sites. The combination of photodynamic diagnostics (PDD) and fresh-frozen sections is compared to multi-stage excisions; in each case, the tissue margins were histographically controlled. RESULTS: The relative risk of an incomplete excision of a BCC on the ear/nose is 2.5 fold higher than on the rest of the body. The combination of PDD and micrographic surgery with fresh-frozen sections reduces the length of stay by 42.86 % from median 14 d to 8 d as well as increasing the revenue per patient per day by 41.9 % from 320.61 euro to 454.95 euro with nearly a comparable rate of recurrences after one year. CONCLUSIONS: PDD in combination with single-stage surgery is an equivalent therapy with few side effects and conforming to guidelines. It takes into account both quality assurance and patient preferences. Multicenter, randomized trials seem desirable.

Published 5 February 2007 in J Dtsch Dermatol Ges, 5(2): 118-26.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Skin Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.