Analysis of the Histopathological Profile and Surgical Margins Resulting from Resection of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

Abstract

Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancer is a group of malignant neoplasms composed basically by sarcomas, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Its etiology is multifactorial with specificity for each of the two types, except for exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which is a common factor between both. When detected early, it has a high cure rate, and surgical excision with safety margins being the treatment of choice in most cases. Thus, it is important to recognize the profile of the patients, as well as the histopathological characteristics of the lesions and the medical approach used to avoid recurrences. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the histopathological profile and surgical margins resulting from the resection of non-melanoma skin cancers in patients treated at a plastic surgery facility in Brazil. Methods: The cases of squamous cell carcinoma and the histopathological types of the basal cell carcinoma were individually analyzed for compromised margins, and later divided into a low-risk group and a high-risk group. Results: 228 lesions were resected from 141 patients. Gender distribution was 55.3% female and 44.6% male. The most affected age group was over 70 years old. The predominant histological type was basal cell carcinoma (74.6%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (25.4%); the most affected site was the cephalic-cervical segment (71.92%). Surgical margins were compromised in 12.3% with no significant difference between the two types of carcinoma. Conclusion: There was a predominance of basal cell carcinoma (nodular type) in women over 40 years old, predominantly in the cephalic-cervical region. The number of recurrences was proportionally higher in the BCC, unrelated to the presence of positive margins.