AN ASSESSMENT OF INCOMPLETE EXCISION OF SKIN CANCER - IMPACT OF ASSOCIATED FACTORS

<p>Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public health problem. The two most common form of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, well known as nonmelanoma skin cancer. Treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer depends on the type and location of the skin cancer as well as the age and general health of the patient. Surgical excision is the most common metod in the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinoma. One of disadvantages of simple surgical excision is incomplete margin control. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the influence of the size of the tumor and intraoperative surgical margin on the rate of complete excisions of skin cancer. A total of 64 basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas were excised and analyzed. Data pertaining to patient age, sex, lesion size and margin of excision were collected prospectively. After excision, all tumors specimens were histopathology confirmed completeness/ incompleteness of tumor excision. Tumor size ranged from 5mm to 36mm. Surgical margins were used in the range of 5-12mm. Skvamocelularni carcinomas were incompletely removed in 4.2%, and basal cell carcinomas in 10% of cases within the histopathological groups. Basal cell carcinomas: surgical margin of 5 mm radically removed 83.3% (up to 1cm); 8mm margin- 86.7% (1-2cm): and 10mm 100% (over 3cm). Squamous cell carcinomas: 10mm surgical margin removed 100% tumors up to 3cm.</p>