ORIGINAL ARTICLES: PDF Only

Recurrence Rates of Treated Basal Cell Carcinomas: Part 1: Overview

SILVERMAN, MARK K. MD¹; KOPF, ALFRED W. MD¹; GRIN, CARON M. MD¹; BART, ROBERT S. MD¹; LEVENSTEIN, MARCIA J. DSci¹

¹ Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, and the Oncology Section, Skin and Cancer Unit, New York University Medical Center, New York, New York.

Address reprint requests to: Alfred W. Kopf, MD, Oncology Section, Skin & Cancer Unit, New York University Medical Center, 562 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology 17(9):p 713-718, September 1991. | DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.1991.tb03424.x

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Abstract

This is the first article in a series reviewing the extensive experience of the Oncology Section of the Skin and Cancer Unit, from 1955 through 1982, with 5755 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) treated by curettage-electrodesiccation, surgical excision, or x-ray therapy. Recurrence rates were calculated by three methods for each of the treatment modalities: 1) by the raw recurrence rate method; 2) by the “strict” 5-year recurrence rate method; and 3) by a modification of the life-table method. Our analyses show that the last method best approximates the true recurrence rate. Primary (previously untreated) BCCs had a 5-year recurrence rate of 10.6% (standard error 0.6%), and previously treated BCCs had a rate of 15.4% (standard error 1.3%) (P =.0002). The greatest risk for recurrence of treated primary BCCs occured 1 to 4 years after therapy. It is concluded that recurrence rates of primary BCCs should be reported separately from those of previously treated BCCs and that the modified life-table method is best suited to calculate 5-year recurrence rates.