Evidence-Based Medicine: Facial Skin Malignancy

Results of Mohs' Micrographic Surgery of Periocular Basal Cell Carcinoma: The Swedish Experience

The Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, has until recently been the only eye clinic in the Nordic countries to perform Mohs' micrographic surgery of basal cell carcinoma. This has led to the practice of only the most complicated basal cell carcinomas being operated on with this technique. The purpose of this study was to present the results of these surgeries in patients with at least 5 years of follow-up. A retrospective study of all patients operated upon in 2010-2015 was performed. Data were gathered from their medical charts. Primary outcome was recurrence of basal cell carcinoma. One-hundred and sixty-seven patients were operated on. Mohs' micrographic surgery was used for tumours that were judged as highly aggressive on preoperative biopsy, had ill-defined borders, had recurred after previous surgery, or a combination of these factors. Nine recurrences (5.4% of all radical Mohs' micrographic surgeries) were diagnosed after a mean postoperative time of 37 months (4-84 months). Interestingly, all of these 9 recurrences after Mohs' micrographic surgery were in patients who had such surgery because of a recurrent basal cell carcinoma to start with. Good results can be achieved when operating on the most complicated periocular basal cell carcinomas with Mohs' micrographic surgery but special care has to be taken to ensure radical borders when operating on recurring basal cell carcinomas.

COVID-19 and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Impact of the Pandemic on Unequal Access to Healthcare

Most skin tumors are not fatal, but if not treated in a timely manner, they can lead to significant morbidity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to create more capacities for the treatment of COVID-19-positive patients as well as to contain the spread of the virus, the healthcare system was reorganized worldwide, leading to decreased access to preventive screening programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on healthcare accessibility to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients in Serbia. This retrospective study was conducted at the Clinic for Burns, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. Patient demographics and pathohistological findings of tumors of patients living in and outside the capital in the period before, during, and after the pandemic were compared. The two groups did not show any differences regarding the largest tumor diameter prior and during the pandemic; however, this difference became extremely noticeable after the pandemic (15 mm vs. 27 mm; p < 0.001). While cSCCs are commonly slow-growing tumors, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not negligible. This study found a population at a significant risk of cSCC metastasis, with additional evidence likely to emerge in the upcoming years.

Pacman flap for oncologic reconstruction of soft-tissue defects after tumor resection: A retrospective case series

INTRODUCTION

The Pacman flap is a novel modality for repairing round soft-tissue defects after tumor resection. This modality provides a robust blood supply without microsurgical tissue rearrangement. This article reviews the authors' experience with Pacman flap for reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects. The safety and effectiveness of the Pacman flap are investigated.

METHODS

Here, we describe a method for oncologic reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects with a Pacman flap after tumor resection. Fourteen consecutive patients (6 males and 8 females, median age of 60 years, range, 18-87 years) who received Pacman flaps for oncologic reconstruction during the period from April 2015 to April 2017 were included in the present study.

RESULTS

In total, 15 Pacman flaps (including 1 bilateral Pacman flap) were created to provide coverage after resection of a tumor from the face (n = 11), chest (n = 1), or extremities (n = 2). One patient had twice previously undergone tumor resection. Median defect size was 25.5 × 25 mm (range, 9 × 9-100 × 90 mm). Median flap size was 35 × 27 mm (range, 12 × 10-120 × 110 mm). Median duration of follow-up was 10 months (range, 6-22 months). No local or distal tumor was observed during the follow-up period. All flaps survived without partial or complete necrosis, infection, or other complications. All patients were satisfied with their aesthetic outcomes. A hematoma formed in 1 patient and was successfully treated with debridement.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pacman flap enables the surgeon to achieve tension-free round defect closure after tumor resection, with good functional and aesthetic outcomes. This modality is a reliable and effective reconstructive surgical technique for oncologic reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects.

Development of a primary melanoma in situ within a full-thickness skin graft overlying a free muscle flap: a case report

The development of a primary melanoma within the confines of free tissue transfer is a rare occurrence. In this report, we describe the development of a primary melanoma in situ within a full-thickness skin graft overlying a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap used to cover a scalp defect.

Concordant Surgical Treatment: Non-melanocytic Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck

Background

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Of the 4 million skin lesions excised annually worldwide, approximately 2 million are considered cancerous. In this study, we aimed to describe a regional experience with skin cancers treated by a single senior surgeon and to provide a treatment algorithm.

Methods

The medical records of 176 patients with head and neck non-melanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) who were treated by a single surgeon at our institution between January 2010 and May 2016 were retrospectively reviewed, and their data (age, sex, pathological type, tumor location/size, treatment modality) were analyzed. Patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) who were classified as a high-risk group for nodal metastasis underwent sentinel node mapping according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Results

Among the patients with NMSC who were treated during this period, basal cell carcinoma (BCC; n=102, 57.9%) was the most common pathological type, followed by cSCC (n=66, 37.5%). Most lesions were treated by complete excision, with tumor-free surgical margins determined via frozen section pathology. Thirty-one patients with high-metastasis-risk cSCC underwent sentinel node mapping, and 17 (54.8%) exhibited radiologically positive sentinel nodes. Although these nodes were pathologically negative for metastasis, 2 patients (6.5%) later developed lymph node metastases.

Conclusion

In our experience, BCC treatment should comprise wide excision with tumor-free surgical margins and proper reconstruction. In contrast, patients with cSCC should undergo lymphoscintigraphy, as nodal metastases are a possibility. Proper diagnosis and treatment could reduce the undesirably high morbidity and mortality rates.

A Retrospective Clinical View of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Head and Neck Region: A Single Institution's Experience of 247 Cases over 19 Years

Background

The two most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The purpose of this study was to describe the detailed clinical behavior of BCC and SCC in the head and neck region over 19 years at a single institution.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed for all patients with non-melanoma skin cancer who had undergone surgical resection over an 18-year period. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic information, tumor size, onset-to-diagnosis, anatomic location, clinical subtype, histologic differentiation, method of surgical treatment, and recurrence.

Results

The review identified 265 cases of either BCC or SCC in 226 patients. Of the 226 patients, 80 (35.4%) were men and 146 (64.6%) were women. BCC (n=138, 55.9%) was more frequent than SCC (109, 44.1%). The most frequent age group was 70-to-79 year olds (45 patients, 35.2%) for BCC and 80-to-89 year olds (41 patients, 41.8%) for SCC. By aesthetic units of the face, the most common location was the nasal unit (44 cases, 31.9%) for BCC and the buccal unit (23 cases, 21.1%) for SCC. The most common clinical subtype of BCC was the nodular type (80 cases, 58.0%). Local flaps were most commonly used to cover surgical defects (136 cases, 55.1%). Recurrent rates were 2.2% for BCC and 5.5% for SCC.

Conclusion

In our study, many characteristics of BCC and SCC were compared to previously published reports were generally similar, except the ratio of BCC to SCC. Further study can help to establish the characteristics of BCC and SCC.

Multifocal squamous cell carcinoma arising in a Favre-Racouchot lesion - report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Favre-Racouchot syndrome (nodular cutaneous elastosis with cysts and comedones) is a cutaneous disease characterized by coexistence of cysts, comedones and elastotic nodules in actinically damaged skin, typically on the face. Ultraviolet radiation plays a significant role in the development of the disease. Unilateral lesions have been described.

MAIN OBSERVATION

In this report we present two cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in a unilateral Favre-Racouchot plaque. Both patients, fair-skinned, elderly, with impaired immune function developed large, deep invasive tumors with perineural extension.

CONCLUSIONS

Squamous cell carcinomas of large size and prominent invasive growth developing in immunocompromised individuals carry poor prognosis with regard to recurrence rate and metastasis. Manifestations of malignancy as described in this report, indicate the importance of close follow-up of patients with Favre-Racouchot syndrome.