Non-melanoma skin cancer of the auricle is treated according to national guidelines.

INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) and are the most common malignancies in Caucasians. The purpose of our study was to examine the frequency of the histological types of NMSC located on the auricle, and to determine whether national and international guidelines on NMSC treatment were followed in our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present study is a retrospective and descriptive cohort study of patients treated from 1996 to 2011 at the ENT department of The Regional Hospital Viborg. National guidelines issued in 2008 were compared with the given treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients were included in the study, 48 (89%) males and six (11%) females. BCC on the auricle was observed in 26 patients (48%) and SCC in 28 patients (52%). Six females and 20 males were in the BCC group; and only males were in the SCC group. National and international guidelines were followed sufficiently with respect to the treatment of choice - surgery and excision margins. These data were specified in half of the journals and they ranged from six to 20 mm. Not all patients were followed-up sufficiently according to the guidelines.

CONCLUSION

BCC and SCC were observed equally on the auricle in our study. This confirms that BCC and SCC of the auricle are represented differently than on the other parts of the body. The national and international guidelines on NMSCs are sufficiently followed with regard to treatment of choice and excision margins; however, the follow-up should be more precise.

FUNDING

not relevant.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with and approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (Datatilsynet).