Analysis of infiltrating epitheliomas of the nose examined from 1986 to 1995.

OBJECTIVE

Epitheliomas of the nose are frequently highly aggressive lesions with wide cutaneous-subcutaneous growth or an infiltrative growth pattern, especially when located at the columellar base, the alar base, and toward the inner chantal region. The aim of this study was to review this lesion with respect to location, recurrence, and treatment.

METHOD

The authors present a retrospective study of 193 infiltrating epitheliomas of the nose examined between 1986 and 1995, including primary and recurrent cases. The authors term "clinically infiltrating epithelioma" any epithelioma whose growth implies the infiltration of the osteocartilaginous framework.

RESULTS

The analysis of this case series, based on the histotype and the site of the epitheliomas, confirms that most of the primary histologically infiltrating basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and of the recurrent BCCs are located at the alar base. The analysis of recurrences shows an aggressive local behaviour (multiple recurrences in the same site, change of the histologic pattern toward a more malignant one, etc.) suggesting that many of them were submitted to an insufficient physical or surgical treatment in the past.

CONCLUSIONS

A radical surgical approach at the first signs of the primary lesion is mandatory in cases of nasal epithelioma.