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Original Paper
Dermatology 2016;232:550–557
DOI: 10.1159/000447354
Surgical Treatment of Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma:
Patient-Based Assessment of Clinical Outcome in
a Prospective Cohort Study
Joséphine Ofaiche
a
Raphael Lopez
b
Emilie Bérard
e
Aymeric André
c
Cristina Bulai-Livideanu
a
Thomas Méresse
c
Benjamin B. Vairel
d
Jean-Louis Grolleau
c
Carle Paul
a
Nicolas Meyer
a, f
a
Department of Dermatology, Paul Sabatier University and Toulouse University Cancer Institute, Departments of
b
Maxillofacial Surgery,
c
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and
d
Otorhinolaryngology, Toulouse University Hospital
(CHU),
e
Department of Epidemiology, Health Economics and Public Health, Toulouse University Hospital (CHU),
UMR1027 INSERM – University of Toulouse III, and
f
INSERM UMR 1037 – CRCT, Toulouse, France
dently associated with poorer POSAS. In terms of the inves-
tigator’s evaluation, aging signs (protective factor: OR = 0.17,
95% CI: 0.04–0.73; p = 0.01), location on the H-zone of the
face (risk factor: OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.07–8.15; p = 0.03), and
histologically infiltrative or sclerosing BCC (risk factor: OR =
2.89, 95% CI: 1.01–8.29; p = 0.04) were independently associ-
ated with POSAS. Conclusion: Esthetic, functional, and mor-
phological outcomes of facial BCC surgery provide high pa-
tient satisfaction overall. Taking wider margins requires spe-
cific measures to improve the surgical outcome.
© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel
Introduction
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a locally invasive malig-
nant skin tumor. Metastases are extremely rare [1], and
morbidity results from local destruction. BCC is the most
common cancer in the Caucasian population [2]. The
most widely documented etiological factor appears to be
exposure to ultraviolet radiation [3]. Sun-exposed areas
of the head and neck are the most common anatomic lo-
cations involved in BCC [4, 5].
Key Words
Basal cell carcinoma · Dermatological surgical procedures ·
Esthetic unit · Face · Patient and Observer Scar Assessment
Scale · Treatment
Abstract
Background: There are limited data on the esthetic, func-
tional, and morphological outcomes of surgical treatment of
facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Objective: The aim of our
study was to assess the determinants of the evaluation of
both the patients and the investigator of the esthetic, func-
tional, and morphological impact of the surgical treatment
of facial BCC. Methods: A prospective observational study
evaluated 111 patients treated surgically for facial BCCs (n =
135 BCCs), using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment
Scale (POSAS), a validated and reliable scale designed for the
evaluation of all types of scars by professionals and patients.
Results: Scar assessment rated by the patients was very
good. Skin aging was associated with a better surgical out-
come as evaluated by POSAS (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.09–0.98;
p = 0.04). Conversely, histologically infiltrative or sclerosing
BCC (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 0.95–5.71; p = 0.06) was indepen-
Received: November 18, 2015
Accepted after revision: May 27, 2016
Published online: September 28, 2016
Prof. Nicolas Meyer
Service de Dermatologie, Hopital Larrey
24 Chemin de Pouvourville, TSA30030
FR–31059 Toulouse Cedex 9 (France)
E-Mail meyer.n @ chu-toulouse.fr
© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel
1018–8665/16/2325–0550$39.50/0
www.karger.com/drm
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