Squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas: preliminary study of 3,817 primary skin cancers.

A series of patients with 3,817 cutaneous carcinomas of different types observed in a private practice setting is reported. Preliminary computerized analyses indicate that 88% of these squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas were less than 25 mm. Scalpel surgery, curettage and desiccation, or radiation therapy was used for most tumors and an overall cure rate of greater than 98% was obtained. A pretreatment biopsy allowed for selection of the most appropriate management and authoritative instructions for long-term follow-up visits and prophylaxis.