Predictive value of basal cell carcinoma biopsies with negative margins: A retrospective cohort study

Reliability of Biopsy Margin Status for Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

“…They found that 34 (24%) of 143 cases with negative biopsy margins contained residual tumor in the corresponding excision. 5 Our study revealed that almost half of BCC biopsy specimens that had negative histologic margins with routine sectioning had truly positive margins on complete block exhaustion. This finding was independent of multiple factors, including tumor subtype, indicating that even nonaggressive tumors are prone to false-negative margin reports.…”

Reporting Biopsy Margin Status for Cutaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma: To Do or Not to Do

“…In one analysis, 24% (34/143) of shave biopsies reported with negative margins displayed residual BCC in ensuing re-excisions (negative predictive value: 76%). 2 Standard bread-loafing, en-face margins and inking for orientation utilized to provide a thorough margin evaluation of excisions cannot be optimally achieved on small skin biopsies. Microscopic sections for analysis are 2-dimensional representations of 3-dimensional structures.…”

“…In a study where initial biopsies reported with negative margins displayed residual BCC in subsequent re-excisions, 91% (31/34) of residual BCCs were of superficial variety. 2 Clinically, superficial BCC frequently has indistinct borders with subtle subclinical peripheral progression. It has a tendency to expand radially, with the clinical appearance deceptively smaller than its true extent.…”

The potential utility of integrated reflectance confocal microscopy-optical coherence tomography for guiding triage and therapy of basal cell carcinomas

“…Non-surgical treatments include topical therapy (Imiquimod), photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, and laser ablation and/or coagulation [12][13][14][15][16][17]. Guiding the decision and choice of an appropriate minimally invasive therapy is dependent on determining BCC depth and subtype [18,19].…”