Update of the European guidelines for basal cell carcinoma management

Abstract

Background: European guidelines for the management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) prepared by the former BCC subcommittee of the Guidelines Committee of the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) were published in 2006.

Objectives: To present updated guidelines that include consensual expert definitions on various BCC types, prognosis and risk factors for BCC as well as review recommendations for diagnosis and treatment reflecting current published evidence.

Methods: These guidelines (S1 type) were prepared by the new BCC subgroup of the European Dermatology Forum (EDF)'s Guidelines Committee through extensive literature review (up to 2012) and expert experience; they were extensively discussed within the EDF subcommittee and approved by peer reviewers of the EDF. Results BCC is a common tumour with an incidence rising worldwide. Three major clinical types of BCC are recognized: nodular, superficial and morpheaform. Four histological subtypes are defined: superficial, nodular, infiltrative and morpheaform. On the basis of the risk of relapse, three prognosis groups have been identified: high, intermediate and low risk. According to these classifications and evidence-based evaluation of the therapeutic strategies available, a decision tree is proposed for the management of BCCs.

Conclusions: The guidelines offer a useful tool that will help dermatologists to select the most appropriate treatment for individual patients.