Prognosis

Mohs surgery

Recurrence rates with Mohs surgery are very low (2% to 5%).[42][79]

Surgical treatment

Five-year recurrence rates are typically ≤5% following standard surgical excision, pending histologic subtype.[59] A scar will be visible after surgical treatment.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has higher recurrence rates, but no scars.[94]

High-risk features

Some features of basal cell carcinoma are indicative of aggressive tumor behavior and are high-risk for recurrence:[47]

  • Tumor size 2 cm or larger

  • Tumor site (the central face)

  • Poorly defined clinical margins

  • High-risk histologic subtype

  • Histologic features of aggression; perineural or perivascular involvement

  • Failure of previous treatment (the tumor is a recurrence)

  • Immunosuppression.

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