Archives of Plastic Surgery (Jul 2013)
Distribution of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Facial Esthetic Unit
Abstract
Background The most common cutaneous malignant masses are basal cell carcinoma (BCC)and squamous cell carcinoma. The predominant site of a malignant mass is the face, whichhas many opportunities to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation. However the predilectionsites of malignant masses have been equivocal due to the use of general regions, rather thananatomical landmarks, in surveys.Afacial esthetic unitis an anatomicalsite classified as an areaofsimilarfacial contour characteristicsthat can be distinguished fromother areas. The purposeofthisstudy isto determinewidely accepted anatomical landmarks using the esthetic unit.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 118 cases of malignant masses in our clinic fromJanuary 2005 to October 2012. We evaluated the patients’ age, gender, and predilectionsite of the malignant mass by esthetic unit through pathology, medical records and patientphotographs. We mapped the occurrence site of the malignant mass on schematic drawingsofthe esthetic units.Results Most of the malignant masses were BCC. The ratio of males to females was 1:1.41.The frequent predilection site of a malignant mass was on the nasal unit (33.1%), followedby the buccal unit (11.0%). Primary closure was the most common method of repairing asurgical defect(38.9%),followed by a local flap (35.5%).Conclusions This review described the relationship between clinical characteristics and estheticunitsbyproposingobjectivepredilectionsitesformalignantmasses,whichcanbeusedcommonlyas a framework inthe studyofmalignantmassesbyunifyingequivocaloccurrence sites.
