Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Risk of recurrence according to adequacy of surgical margins.

PURPOSE: To examine all basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid diagnosed in Iceland during a 25-year period, paying special attention to the surgical margins of excision in relation to recurrence. Based on the results a simple, clinically relevant method of classifying the surgical margin is proposed.

METHODS: All histologically proven basal cell cancer specimens from eyelids were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical excision margins were classified as radical, marginal or intralesional.

RESULTS: Recurrence risk was low when the tumor had a surgical margin described as radical or marginal. The recurrence rate was 38% when the margin was intralesional.

CONCLUSION: By assessing the surgical margins by this method, which is easy to apply, better understanding between the pathologist and the surgeon may be achieved.