Basal Cell Carcinoma: 10 Years of Experience

Introduction. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a locally invasive malignant epidermal tumour. Incidence is increasing by 10% per year; incidence of metastases is minimal, but relapses are frequent (40%–50%). The complete excision of the BCC allows reduction of relapse. Materials and Methods. The study cohort consists of 1123 patients underwent surgery for basal cell carcinoma between 1999 and 2009. Patient and tumor characteristics recorded are: age; gender; localization (head and neck, trunk, and upper and lower extremities), tumor size, excisional margins adopted, and relapses. Results. The study considered a group of 1123 patients affected by basal cell carcinoma. Relapses occurred in 30 cases (2,67%), 27 out of 30 relapses occurred in noble areas, where peripheral margin was <3 mm. Incompletely excised basal cell carcinoma occurred in 21 patients (1,87%) and were treated with an additional excision. Discussion. Although guidelines indicate 3 mm peripheral margin of excision in BCC <2 cm, in our experience, a margin of less than 5 mm results in a high risk of incomplete excisions

An Alternative Treatment Strategy for Complicated Chronic Wounds: Negative Pressure Therapy over Mesh Skin Graft

Extensive skin defect represents a real problem and major challenge in plastic and reconstructive surgery. On one hand, skin grafts offer a practical method to deal with skin defects despite their unsuitability for several complicated wounds. On the other hand, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), applied before skin grafting, promotes granulation tissue growth. The aim of the study is to evaluate the improvement in wound healing given by the merger of these two different approaches. We treated 23 patients for large wounds of multiple factors. Of these, 15 were treated with the application of V.A.C.® Therapy (KCI Medical S.r.l., Milan, Italy), in combination with skin grafts after a prior unsuccessful treatment of 4 weeks with mesh skin grafts and dressings. Another 8 were treated with only mesh skin graft. Pain reduction and wound area reduction were found statistically significant (p < 0.0009, p < 0.0001). Infection was resolved in almost all patients. According to our study, the use of the negative pressure wound therapy over mesh skin grafts is significantly effective especially in wounds resistant to conventional therapies, thereby improving the rate of skin graft take

ABCB5 in peripheral blood of a patient affected by multiple primary malignancies

BACKGROUND: Multiple primary neoplasm malignancies syndrome (MPMN), is the presence of two or more abnormal growths of tissue, occurring simultaneously. Although the number of second malignancies is increasing, due to several factors, the presence of triple or quadruple malignancies is still very rare. PATIENT AND METHODS: We report a case of a 78-year-old man, with six primaries: a prostatic adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, two melanoma, a basal cell carcinoma, and a lymphoma in a four years period. RESULTS: The onset of MPMN is probably caused by a mutation of DNA repair genes, probably the TP53 gene. Common features of this syndrome are early rise and low tendency to metastatize. We reviewed the markers of staminality for various tumors: RNA expression of ALDH1, CD 133, and ABCB 5, extracted from the sentinel lymph node (SLN) and from the peripheral blood of the patient, was verified. CONCLUSION: People with multiple tumors represent a segment of the cancer-survivor population, which is continuously increasing (10%). Several genetic mutation can be involved in this kind of population. Our patient was positive for the expression of ABCB5, a marker for staminality of melanoma, in periphal blood

The use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of plunging nose: cosmetic results and a functional serendipity

Muscles of the nose are active in facial movements both with the other facial muscles. An active depressor septi muscle (DSN) can accentuate a drooping nasal tip and shorten the upper lip on animation, especially during smiling. Paralysis of the DSN allows the tip of the nose to be lifted up. Between January and June 2011 a double blinded, randomized study was performed on 40 patients for nasal defects as "plunging" tip. 20 patients underwent to Botulinum toxin injection (B), 20 patients were treated with placebo such as saline solution (S). Both aesthetic and functional results were evaluated using objective and subjective parameters at time 0, after 7, 15 and 30 days and values were compared using t Student test. S group results were not significant from an objective point of view. In botulinum group, patients showed an increase in columellar-lip distance. Satisfaction of the Group B patients was an average of 6.3 on VAS (range from 4 to 9). VAS mean values were studied with t-Student test and were found significant. Several authors recommend the incision of DSN muscle during rhinoplasty to correct the plunging tip. In patients with no needs for rhinoplasty this procedure is unnecessary and a quick and targeted injection of Botulinum toxin is the most convenient choice to improve aesthetic of the plunging tip

Nora's lesion of the thumb and a differential diagnosis

In this paper, we report a rare case of a solitary osteochondromatous tumour on the volar tip of the thumb of a 47-year-old woman. An X-ray examination showed a heavily calcific mass close to the bone and an alteration of the bone, next to the lesion. A wide-margin biopsy was performed on this tumour and a histological examination was conducted, which showed the characteristics of a bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation of the bone (Nora's lesion). The lesion was 0.8×0.9 cm. This neoplasm has a high tendency for local recurrence, although metastatic behaviour has not yet been reported. Due to its possible recurrence, this lesion requires radical surgery and, at times, amputation is necessary. In this case, wound healing was uncomplicated and there was no deficit after surgery. No recurrences were observed after 2 years from the surgery. At the end, we describe six differential diagnoses for the Nora's lesion. We explain some important characteristics of every one of the six lesions. © 2010 Springer-Verlag

Metatypical carcinoma of the head: a review of 312 cases

BACKGROUND: Metatypical cell carcinoma (MTC) is a quite rare malignancy accounting for 5% of all non melanoma skin cancers, with features of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It can be described as coexistence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with no transition zone between them. AIM: Our review identified a correlation between gender and MTC affected region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 312 consecutive patients, diagnosed for MTC localized on face and scalp. Statistical analysis was made to determinate most affected areas, gender prevalence, average age, presence of ulceration and infiltration and peripheral clearance rate. RESULTS: A relevant difference came out between two genders. chi(2) test emphasized a relation between males and the presence of carcinoma on the scalp. In addition a strong correlation between mixed subtype and ulceration was evident. A strong relation between intermediate subtype and positive surgical margin was found; this data could identify a more aggressive behavior of intermediate type. CONCLUSIONS: In our findings an important correlation between sun exposition and this tumor was found. Moreover, due to the difficulties that can occur in preserving the aesthetic subunits in the surgical treatment of these regions, the prevention of this pathology has an important role

Carcinoma a cellule basali metatipiche (MTC) o carcinoma basosquamoso (BSC): terapia chirurgica [Metatypical basal-cell carcinoma (MTC) or basosquamos carcinoma (BSC): surgical therapy]

AIM: Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer in the world with an incidence 18-20 times greater than that of malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma, which probably arises from immature pluripotential cells, is the most common malignant tumor of the skin in Caucasian. It occurs mostly on sun-exposed areas such as neck and face. MATERIAL OR STUDY: We performed a retrospective study of 327 consecutive patients, diagnosed for metatypical basal cell carcinoma. Tumors were analyzed and measured from the surgeon, excision margins were marked on the basis of palpable or visual alteration of the burden. The minimum surgical margin was equal to the short axis of the ellipse. Therapy was made according to guidelines. RESULTS: A relevant difference came out between two genders. 213 Males (65%) were affected in comparison with only 114 females (35%). Concerning areas affected, first is cervico-facial area with a prevalence of 220 cases (67,3%), second trunk 33 cases (10,1%), third other areas 29 cases (8,86%), fourth limbs 32 cases (9,80%), fifth scalp with 13 cases (4%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis is based on histological analysis. Histologically MTC is divided into two subtypes: intermediated and mixed. In the intermediate form transitional zones and tumor islets are found together, thus combining features of BCC and SCC In mixed subtype typical basal cells coexist with areas of conglomerated squamous cells, squamous pearls could be present

Metatypical basal-cell carcinoma (MTC) or basosquamos carcinoma (BSC): surgical therapy

AIM: Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer in the world with an incidence 18-20 times greater than that of malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma, which probably arises from immature pluripotential cells, is the most common malignant tumor of the skin in Caucasian. It occurs mostly on sun-exposed areas such as neck and face. MATERIAL OR STUDY: We performed a retrospective study of 327 consecutive patients, diagnosed for metatypical basal cell carcinoma. Tumors were analyzed and measured from the surgeon, excision margins were marked on the basis of palpable or visual alteration of the burden. The minimum surgical margin was equal to the short axis of the ellipse. Therapy was made according to guidelines. RESULTS: A relevant difference came out between two genders. 213 Males (65%) were affected in comparison with only 114 females (35%). Concerning areas affected, first is cervico-facial area with a prevalence of 220 cases (67,3%), second trunk 33 cases (10,1%), third other areas 29 cases (8,86%), fourth limbs 32 cases (9,80%), fifth scalp with 13 cases (4%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis is based on histological analysis. Histologically MTC is divided into two subtypes: intermediated and mixed. In the intermediate form transitional zones and tumor islets are found together, thus combining features of BCC and SCC In mixed subtype typical basal cells coexist with areas of conglomerated squamous cells, squamous pearls could be present

A large vascular leiomyoma or an infected sebaceous cyst of the chest? A case report

INTRODUCTION: Vascular leiomyoma is a rare tumour of smooth muscle origin. It has been reported in many anatomical sites, but it usually affects limbs. It's recurrence rate is slow but it's quite difficult to make diagnosis. CASE REPORT: The study describes the case of a 53-year-old man, with a subcutaneous, large vascular leiomyoma of the right clavicular region. The patient had a painful, slow-growing mass, measuring more than 20 mm. The mass had a relatively homogeneous, hypoechoic-echo texture, with a small amount of posterior acoustic enhancement. No diagnosis was made and the patient underwent surgery for a suspected leyomioma. After surgery a hard, round-shaped tumor, measuring approximately 43x32 mm of diameter was found with histological features of leyomioma. DISCUSSION: The case has an unusual clinical presentation, for the uncommon localization and size of the mass. US imaging and histopathologic features are reported. The rarity of vascular leiomyoma makes diagnosis difficult and frequently delayed. Differential diagnosis includes infected sebaceous cists, glomus tumors, hemangiomas, angiolipomas, ganglions, and traumatic neuromas. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights that leiomyoma, even of large dimension, must be included in the differential diagnosis of painful, subcutaneous masses

The Anteromedial Thigh Free Flap Anatomy: A Clinical, Anatomical, and Cadaveric Study

Background: Perforator flaps have become the choice of most reconstructive surgeons because they have decreased donor-site morbidity. Among these flaps, the free anteromedial thigh flap has not yet become a first-choice flap because of the inconstant anatomy of its pedicle. This study aimed to describe the anatomy from different perspectives to highlight common patterns and simplify the flap's application in clinical cases. Methods: The study started in 2004 and took 9 years to complete. It was performed on 12 clinical anteromedial thigh flap cases, 48 clinical cases of anterolateral thigh flap in which the vascular anatomy of the anteromedial thigh flap was studied, and 48 cadaver dissections. Results: In type of perforators, the authors found an almost total consistency between clinical cases (group 1) and dissections in patients (group 2) ((2) = 0.164 and p = 0.92), whereas the cadaver dissections (group 3) were minimally homogeneous ((2) = 13.7 and p = 0.0082). Then, taking into account the parameter origin of perforators, they noticed the same trend with a clear alignment between the first two groups ((2) = 1.84 and p = 0.87) and a strong inhomogeneity in relation to the third group ((2) = 19.8 and p = 0.03). Conclusions: Anatomical study of the anteromedial thigh flap pedicle showed a marked variability that makes preoperative planning difficult, and thus more stressful to realize. This evidence confirms that the flap can be used as a second choice or simultaneously with the anterolateral thigh flap. In addition, the authors strongly suggest a preoperative radiological study to minimize the possible anatomical variabilities during surgery