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Emily Granger, BS
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Job Title
Research Associate
Academic Rank
Department
Dermatology
Authors
Emily Granger, B.S.; Morgan Groover, B.S.; Frederick Morgan, MD; Fadi Murad, MD, MPH; Chrysalyne Schmults, MD, MSCE; Emily Ruiz, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator
Emily Ruiz, MD, MPH
Research Category: Cancer
Tags
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the world with an estimated 2 million cases occurring in the United States annually. Current evidence suggests that the recurrence rate of surgically cleared high-risk BCCs is 5% at 5 years with a rise to 12% at 10 years. Current NCCN guidelines recommend monitoring every 6-12 months within the first 5 years after diagnosis, with annual screening thereafter. However, time to recurrence data is limited due to the slow growth rate of BCCs and the lack of inclusion of BCCs in national cancer registries. Our study examined a 10-year retrospective dual center cohort of 488 primary cutaneous BCCs that underwent curative therapy. A total of 27 tumors developed 39 poor outcomes including local recurrence, nodal metastasis, distant metastasis, or disease-specific death (DSD). Altogether, 35.9%, 48.7%, 76.9%, and 97.4% of recurrences and DSD occurred within 2, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Given that about a quarter of recurrences and DSD occurred beyond 5 years, we suggest consideration of closer long term follow-up in patients with high-risk BCC. We hope the data presented herein will inform future high-risk BCC surveillance guidelines.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the world with an estimated 2 million cases occurring in the United States annually. Current evidence suggests that the risk of a BCC recurring after being removed by surgical is 5% at 5 years with a rise to 12% at 10 years. Current guidelines recommend skin checks every 6-12 months for 5 years after diagnosis, with yearly screening thereafter. Data on how quickly a BCC reappears after surgery is limited due to their slow growth rate and exclusion from national cancer registries. Our study examined 488 BCCs that underwent curative therapy over a 10 year span at 2 separate institutions. A total of 27 tumors developed 39 poor outcomes including recurrence of the BCC at its original location, spread of the BCC to lymph nodes or distant sites in the body, and death due to the BCC. Altogether, 35.9%, 48.7%, 76.9%, and 97.4% of BCC recurrences and deaths occurred within 2, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Given that about a quarter of recurrences and deaths occurred beyond 5 years, we suggest consideration of more frequent skin checks beyond 5 years in patients treated for a high-risk BCC.
