Follow-up of patients with BCC should be conducted independently of their localization and histopathological variant, especially in patients with greater evolution time, principally with surgical techniques.

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Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignant neoplasm. Objective: Investigate the risk of recurrence and of new skin malignant neoplasms, after treatment of BCC. Method: Retrospective study. We examined the files of patients with histopathological diagnosis of primary BCC, between January 2007 and December 2009, and we investigate number of recurrences and their relationship with localization, treatment type, and histopathological variant, and the number of new skin malignant neoplasms. For analysis, we employed descriptive and inferential statistics; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 397 patients, with an average follow-up of 4 ± 1.5 years. Recurrences presented in 4%. Recurrences were related with longer time of evolution (36 vs. 32 months; p = 0.04) and treatment with destructive techniques (electrofulguration, cryosurgery or imiquimod; 31 vs. 4%; p < 0.001). There was no relationship with localization, or the histopathological variant. The risk of developing a new malignant neoplasm was 25%; 66% corresponded to a new BCC and 30% to squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusions: Follow-up of patients with BCC should be conducted independently of their localization and histopathological variant, especially in patients with greater evolution time, principally with surgical techniques.

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