Diagnosis and treatment of low-risk superficial basal cell carcinoma in a single visit

Introduction: Surgical excision remains the most commonly utilized treatment for superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). In the era of cost containment of healthcare, the rising incidence of BCC and the high cost of excision require a continuous search for efficient and cost-effective management.

Objective: Examine the feasibility of the diagnosis and treatment of low-risk sBCC in a single visit.

Materials and methods: Retrospective chart review of sBCCs diagnosed and treated in a single visit.

Results: The study identified 151 histologically confirmed sBCCs in 86 patients over a 5-year period, 93 (61.6%) cases of which were diagnosed as low-risk sBCC and treated in a single appointment. The majority of the cases (n = 86) were treated with curettage alone and the rest (n = 7) with a shave removal technique. The average size of the lesion was 0.82 cm located primarily on the trunk and extremities (95.7%). One recurrence on the trunk was observed in the single appointment group. Overall, diagnostic sensitivity was 95.4% and specificity was 92.0%.

Conclusions: Diagnosis and treatment of sBCC in a single visit is an efficient and cost-effective management option for those who are proficient in identifying low-risk sBCC.