Complete Margin Assessment Versus Sectional Assessment in Surgically Excised High-Risk Keratinocyte Carcinomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) are the most diagnosed cancers worldwide and are commonly excised via complete margin assessment (CMA) or excision with sectional assessment (SA). National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines encourage CMA for KC with high-risk features.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically compare recurrence outcomes for CMA vs SA in high-risk KC based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines criteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for articles reporting recurrences of high-risk KC undergoing excision using CMA or SA. High-risk KCs were defined as recurrent, having perineural invasion (PNI), or basal cell carcinomas (BCC) with aggressive histology. Chi-squared tests and risk ratios evaluated differences between CMA and SA groups, and a random-effects meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria. Pooled percentages of locoregional recurrences were significantly lower with CMA vs SA for all KCs (3.9% [95% CI: 2.9-4.9] vs 13.5% [7.7, 19.2, p = .001]), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with PNI (9.8% [5.4-14.1] vs 32.0% [25.0-39.0], p < .001), and recurrent BCC (4.4% [2.9-5.9] vs 11.9% [8.0-15.8], p < .001).

CONCLUSION

For high-risk KCs, recurrence risk was over 3-times greater with SA compared with CMA. Expanded access to CMA for high-risk KC is likely to reduce recurrence risk and improve clinical outcomes.