Microscopically controlled surgery for carcinomas in patients with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.

The basal cell carcinomas of the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome present a serious challenge in therapy because of the large number of cancers that eventually develop and because a notable proportion of them are highly aggressive neoplasms. Microscopically controlled surgery provides a means to ensure eradication of both the highly malignant and the more benign-behaving neoplasms. Since microscopic control obviates the need to remove an extra margin of normal tissue, elimination of the tumors is accomplished with conservation of the greatest possible amount of normal tissues. These conclusions are based on a study of 30 patients with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome who were treated in chemosurgery clinics during the past 30 years.