Micrographic surgery of basal cell carcinomas of the head.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a locally invasive malignant cutaneous tumour with a rising incidence. This tumour can be treated successfully by a variety of techniques, including local excision, radiation, cryotherapy, curettage, electrodessication and laser obliteration. Micrographic surgery is a specialised type of minimal marginal surgery that offers higher cure rates than do other options in the treatment of contiguous skin cancers in selected settings. The horizontal frozen histological sections of the excised tumour permit complete microscopic examination of the surgical margin. Maximum sparing of tumour-free adjacent tissue is achieved with histological mapping of the tumour boundaries, and subsequent wound reconstruction is optimised. Data on topographical distribution, histopathological subtype, subclinical tumour extension, therapeutic procedures required for complete eradication, and recurrence rates were recorded in 3065 BCC of the head. Micrographic surgery is the treatment of choice for large or invasive primary BCC with uncertain clinical boundaries, especially in difficult anatomical regions, for recurrent or re-recurrent BCC, and for tumours with an aggressive histopathological pattern.