Does incomplete excision of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid mean tumor recurrence?

A excisão incompleta de carcinoma basocelular da pálpebra implica

DERMATOPATHOLOGY

Does incomplete excision of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid mean tumor recurrence?^*

A excisão incompleta de carcinoma basocelular da pálpebra implica

Irena Jankovic^I; Predrag Kovacevic^II; Milan Visnjic^III; Dimitrije Jankovic^IV; Ivana Binic^V; Aleksandar Jankovic^VI

^IPlastic and reconstructive surgeon, Master of Science, Assistant Surgeon. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia

^IIPlastic and reconstructive surgeon, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia

^IIIPlastic and reconstructive surgeon, Ph.D., Professor. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia

^IVInternist, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. School of Cosmetology and Esthetics, Department of Pathology, University Synergy Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

^VDermatologist, Ph.D., Professor. Dermatology Clinic, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia

^VIDermatologist, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Dermatology Clinic, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia

^{Endereço para correspondência}

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common tumor of the eyelid. In this region, reconstruction is complex and damage to healthy tissue should be minimal. Objective: To define the relationship between margin clearance at excision and the recurrence rate of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid.

METHODS: This prospective study was conducted with 111 patients submitted to surgery for basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid between 2001 and 2003 and followed up for a period of five years. The patients were evaluated according to age, tumor site, recurrence rate and margin clearance at excision.

RESULTS: No significant association was found between incomplete tumor excision and recurrence except in patients under 56 years of age, female patients and in the case of tumors of the medial canthus.

CONCLUSION: A risk of recurrence in incompletely excised basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid was only confirmed in younger patients, females and for tumors of the medial canthus.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; eyelid; recurrence.

RESUMO

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma basocelular é o tumor mais comum entre os tumores das pálpebras. Nesta região, a reconstrução é complexa e recomenda-se que haja perda mínima de tecido saudável.

OBJETIVO: Para definir a relação entre margem livre de tumor na excisão e taxa de recidiva do carcinoma basocelular das pálpebras.

MÉTODOS: Este estudo prospectivo incluiu 111 pacientes operados para remoção de carcinoma basocelular das pálpebras no período de 2001 a 2003, com acompanhamento subsequente de 5 anos. Os pacientes foram avaliados de acordo com a idade, localização do tumor, taxa de recidiva, e margem livre de tumor na excisão.

RESULTADOS: Não se encontrou associação significativa entre a excisão incompleta do tumor e casos de recidiva, exceto em pacientes com idade inferior a 56 anos, pacientes do sexo feminino e em tumores do canto medial.

CONCLUSÃO: Um risco maior de recidiva de carcinoma basocelular das pálpebras com excisão incompleta foi confirmado estatisticamente apenas em pacientes mais jovens, em mulheres, e nos tumores do canto interno.

Palavras-chave: Carcinoma basocelular; Pálpebras; Recidiva.

INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy of the eyelids and although metastases are extremely rare, advanced local invasion may cause significant and sometimes severe morbidity.¹ Ninety percent of all BCC in the periorbital region are situated on the lower eyelid or in the medial canthal region.² A diagnosis of BCC is based on clinical findings and confirmed by subsequent histopathology.³

BCC may be treated using a variety of methods that include electrodesiccation, curettage, cryotherapy, Mohs micrographic surgery, radiation therapy, topical immunomodulators, photodynamic therapy and surgical excision.⁴ Surgery is the principal form of treatment used.⁵ At excision of the BCC, clinically clear margins of 3-4 mm must be left and primary repair of the defect should be performed.⁶ When the eyelid margin is involved, the defect resulting from the operation often requires sophisticated reconstructive surgery because direct closure is inadequate. Primary suture in layers can only be performed in the case of small lesions. However, in many patients, excision of the BCC including clinically clear 4 mm margins results in the removal of a significant quantity of normal tissue.⁷ Achieving the best functional and cosmetic results is important in order to minimize the amount of normal tissue lost. On the other hand,^3-4 mm margins are insufficient to guarantee a complete, histologically proven excision in up to 54% of cases.⁸ Incomplete excision was defined as the presence of tumor tissue at the margins of resection in the final histological report.⁹

Incomplete excision is most commonly associated with tumors situated on the nose and inner canthus.⁵ There appears to be a certain difficulty in assessing these regions clinically, and also pathologically, when taking spatial orientation, thin skin, fragmentation of margins and tissue shrinkage after formalin fixation into account.¹⁰

Incomplete resection of a BCC does not necessarily imply tumor recurrence.¹¹ Possible reasons for non-recurrence may include an immune reaction, inflammation or devitalization of the residual tumor tissue.¹²

Indeed, some investigators have reported that after a 5 or 10-year follow-up period, not all incompletely excised BCC resulted in recurrences. The highest recurrence rate in BCC was recorded two years after surgery.¹³ These reports favor a conservative "wait and see" policy that includes the need for conscientious postoperative follow-up.¹⁴

Management of incompletely excised BCC remains a matter of debate.¹⁵ Nevertheless, it is important to preserve as much normal tissue as possible, particularly in the periocular region, thus optimizing the possibility of achieving good esthetic results with minimal intervention.¹⁶ With the objective of preserving tissue, while avoiding reoperating an incompletely excised periorbital BCC, the present study evaluated whether residual tumor tissue is indicative of tumor recurrence, what the risk factors for recurrence are, and the most probable timing of a diagnosis of recurrence, in order to ensure that only those for whom reoperation is mandatory are subjected to further surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study was conducted in patients with periocular BCC treated by surgical excision at a tertiary clinic between 2001 and 2003. Follow-up was conducted over a period of at least five years.

The excision line was measured and marked at a distance of 3-4 mm from the tumor edge. Standard excision techniques were used with minimal disruption of the edges of the sample, which was subsequently fixed in formalin and paraffin-embedded. The reconstruction technique was defined in accordance with the size and site of the defect, and included primary closure, skin grafts or flaps. In those cases in which the surgical margins were affected by tumor cells, postoperative monitoring was the only approach used.

The following characteristics were analyzed: whether or not the excision was complete, tumor recurrence, tumor site (upper / lower eyelid or medial / lateral canthal region), and the gender and age of the patient.

The SPSS statistical software package, version 15.0, and the EpiInfo Statcalc program, version 5.0, were used in the statistical analysis. The following statistical tests were performed: the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests of normality, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, the Mann-Whitney U test and univariate logistic regression. Results are presented as odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals. The 5-year cumulative probabilities of BCC recurrence in the two groups (the group in which the tumor had been completely excised and the group in which excision had been incomplete) were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log rank test, analyzing the difference between the observed and expected number of recurrences at each of the time points. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients with BCC were treated between 2001 and 2003 and followed up over a five-year period. Of the 111 excised tumors, margins were negative in 90 (81.08%) and positive in 21 (18.92%).

The mean age of the patients at the time of treatment was 67.03 ± 8.23 years (range 28-93 years). In the case of the completely excised tumors, the mean age of the patients who had a recurrence of the tumor was lower compared to those who did not have a recurrence, and this difference was statistically significant (57.61 versus 68.23 years; Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.002). In addition, the mean age of the patients with positive margins and recurrence (56.6 years) was significantly lower than the mean age of 66.12 years of the patients with an incompletely excised tumor who had no recurrence (Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.028).

The male-to-female gender ratio was 1.22. Of the 48 male patients in whom margins were negative, recurrence was found in 3 cases, while of the 13 men in whom margins were positive, only one recurrence occurred. Of the 42 female patients with negative margins, there was a recurrence in 6, while of the 8 female patients with positive margins there were 4 recurrences. A statistically significant difference between incomplete tumor excision and recurrence was found only in the case of female patients (Fisher's test, p=0.041).

The most common site of the BCC was on the lower eyelid (57 patients), followed by the medial canthus region (38 patients), upper eyelid (14 patients), and, least commonly, in the lateral canthus region (2 patients). Tumor site was significantly associated with recurrence. Most of the recurrences recorded during the study occurred on the medial canthus (9/38 tumors; 23.68%), upper eyelid (3/14 tumors; 21.43%) or lower eyelid (2/57 tumors; 3.51%), with no recurrences in the lateral canthus (chi-square test, p=0.02).

Of the various periorbital sites of BCC, a statistically significant correlation was found between incomplete tumor excision and recurrence only in the case of malignancies situated in the medial canthus. Recurrence was found in 5/31 tumors with negative margins and in 4/7 tumors with positive margins (Fisher's exact test, p=0.041). The OR value of 6.93 (95%CI: 0.9-60.73) was significant only for BCC in the medial canthal region. The risk of recurrence in the case of incompletely excised tumors in the medial canthus was 6.93 times higher than that of completely excised tumors in this same region (Table 1).

Overall, there was a recurrence in 14 cases of BCC, 9 of which occurred in patients with negative margins and 5 in patients with positive margins. The 5-year probability of recurrence, calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, was 23.8% for incompletely excised BCC and 10% for completely excised BCC; however, this difference was not statistically significant (log rank test, p=0.075, Figure 1).

The numbers of recurrences per year are shown for both groups in table 2. In the first year following surgery, recurrence was found in only one case in the group of patients in whom the tumors had been completely excised (90 patients), while three recurrences were found in the second year and one in the fourth year. In the fifth year following surgery, no further recurrences were found. In patients with incompletely excised tumors (21 patients), there was one recurrence in the first year following surgery, two in the second year and another two in the third year, while in the fourth and fifth years of follow-up there were no further recurrences.

DISCUSSION

BCC of the eyelid is the most common form of malignancy encountered in ophthalmic practice.¹⁷ According to Griffiths,¹⁰ 7% of cases of BCC in his study were found to be incompletely excised, as confirmed by histological examination. Kumar et al.¹⁸ conducted a 1-year prospective study and reported that 34 out of 757 cases of BCC (4-5%) had been incompletely excised. In a study conducted by Wilson et al., ¹⁹ 6.2% of cases of BCC of the head or neck were incompletely excised. In the case of periorbital lesions, the overall rate of incomplete excision was 13% (range 11-17%);¹⁰ however, in the present study positive margins were diagnosed in 18.92%. In Wilson's study, the risk of incomplete excision was higher when the tumors were located in the medial canthus or lower eyelid (risk >10%).¹⁹ In the present study, incomplete excision was most common in the medial canthus region (10.51%). In addition, Pieh et al.²⁰ reported that the risk of subsequent recurrence at most of these sites was about 30%.

Previous studies found recurrence rates <10% in cases of incompletely excised, nonaggressive BCC.^{21, 22} Boulinguez et al.¹⁵ reported a low recurrence rate in initially nonaggressive cases of BCC, with an aggressive component found in 20% of cases. The probability of recurrence in cases of incompletely resected BCC ranges from 30% to 50%, as reported in other studies.¹⁴ Based on the fact that in 41% of re-excisions no residual tumor tissue was detected, incomplete excision of BCC does not appear to be synonymous with the persistence of residual tumor tissue.²³ Wilson et al.¹⁹ found residual tumor tissue in 45% of re-excised specimens. These investigators implemented a "wait and see policy" and reported recurrences in 21% of cases. In the present study, disease recurrence within the 5-year follow-up period was recorded in only 23.81% of the patients with positive margins.

Residual tumor tissue was found in only 4 of the 16 re-excisions in the periorbital region.¹⁹ The likelihood of finding residual tumor tissue in periorbital lesions is low, with the exception of the inner canthus.¹⁰ In the present study, recurrences were most common in the medial canthus region (23.68%). A significant association between incomplete tumor excision and recurrence was found only when the tumor was situated in the medial canthus. The risk of subsequent recurrence in the case of incompletely excised tumors at this site was 6.93 times higher than that of completely excised neoplasms.

One explanation of why there were no clinical recurrences in the earlier studies may have been that the tumor tissue present at the margins was devitalized during the surgical procedure, e.g. by electrocautery, disappearing after surgery.¹⁴ Spontaneous regression of residue BCC at the margin has been reported²⁴ and was thought to be related to the presence of a weak host response mediated by lymphocytes infiltrating the tumor.²⁵ Other investigators^{26, 27} have reported that residual BCC was present in 37% of patients after treatment with curettage and electrodesiccation, and that there was no sign of regression after 1 and 3 months.

Most studies to date have involved a relatively short period of follow-up (<3 years), which may have been insufficient to detect late recurrences (>5 years).²⁸ In the 5-year follow-up in the present study, most recurrences in patients with negative margins occurred in the third year (50% of all recurrences in cases of completely excised tumors), while in incompletely excised tumors most recurrences occurred in the second and third years following surgery (40% of all recurrences with positive margins in each year). These data are in agreement with findings reported in the literature.¹³

The time until the appearance of signs or symptoms of recurrence following incomplete resection was longer in men and in patients over 65 years of age. Males did not readily recognize the warning signs of BCC, probably because they are less likely compared to women to perform a self-examination of their skin.²⁹ Gender was associated with recurrence rate in the present study, and recurrence was significantly more common in women with incompletely excised tumors. These data may be explained by the greater attention paid by women to their appearance and to more thorough and frequent self-examinations.

Boulinguez et al.¹⁵ concluded that initially nonaggressive, incompletely excised BCC do not require re-excision except if they are located in sites with a poor prognosis, in which case re-excision is mandatory.

In this study, older individuals, who were also less likely to perform self-examination of their skin, took longer to seek medical attention compared to younger people and in these cases morbidity was greater as a result of larger resections.²⁹ For younger patients, the balance between the risk of scarring and the recurrence rate should be discussed prior to reexcision.¹⁵ In the present study, the mean age of patients with positive margins and recurrences (56.6 years) was significantly lower than that of the patients with positive margins and no recurrence (66.12 years), which appears to indicate that recurrence of incompletely excised BCC in the periorbital region is more common in younger individuals. Berlin et al.³⁰ recommended that when the patient is elderly, with multiple severe medical problems, then his/her quality of life, ability to tolerate further surgery and the risk of recurrence should all be taken into consideration and discussed with both the patient and his/her family if the tumor is a low-risk subtype with 4% or less involvement of the margins at the initial incomplete excision. Nevertheless, surgical margin control using Mohs micrographic surgery, when available, is probably a better way of avoiding re-excision when managing aggressive histopathologic types of BCC or when the BCC is situated at sites where the risk of recurrence is higher.¹⁵ However, Mohs technique is costly and labor-intensive, often requiring numerous excisions and histological examinations.³¹ Furthermore, surgeons require specific training in the technique. In the present study, Mohs surgery was not performed.

When physicians receive a pathology report indicating that the excision of a BCC was incomplete, they face a dilemma regarding the future management of that patient. The practice of some experts in the field has been not to perform a second resection in cases of positive excision margins, since the probability of recurrence is limited.¹⁴ Berlin et al.³⁰ recommended clinical follow-up for patients with a very low risk of recurrence, while Nagore et al.¹¹ recommended immediate re-excision in cases in which the resection margins were positive.

An individualized approach is recommended in the treatment of BCC, particularly in cases with positive margins. Special consideration should be given to the tumor site, and to the age and gender of the patient, since those with incompletely excised BCC of the medial canthus and those under 56 years of age have a significantly higher risk of recurrence, which is most likely to occur two to three years after surgery. Moreover, all cases require close monitoring, even those in which no residual tumor tissue is present at the resection margins.¹¹

CONCLUSION

There is no statistically significant association between incomplete periorbital BCC excision and recurrence except when the tumor site is in the medial canthus.

In women and younger individuals, recurrences of periorbital BCC are significantly more common. Most of the recurrences occur in the first four years following excision. Incomplete BCC excision does not imply a certainty of recurrence. We would recommend re-excision of incompletely excised BCC in the medial cantus region particularly in the case of females and individuals under 56 years of age.

Aproved by the advisory board and accepted for publication on 16.03.2010.

Conflict of interest: None

Financial funding: None

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*

Study conducted at The Clinical Center Nis, Serbia and University Synergy Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  27 Jan 2011
• Date of issue
  Dec 2010

History

• Received
  16 Mar 2010