Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Abstract

This article reviews the most common nonmelanoma skin cancers affecting the head and neck region. Although the most common of these malignancies rarely result in mortality, local morbidity caused by the tumors and their extirpation cannot be underestimated. Complete tumor extirpation with pathologically confirmed negative margins is the gold standard. Regional and distant metastases are rare, but must be treated appropriately should they occur. Although reconstructive surgery can be life changing for the patients and rewarding for the clinicians, it behooves the treating surgeons to remain true to oncologic principles above all else.

Keywords: Adnexal carcinomas of the skin; Basal cell; Keratinocyte carcinoma; Merkel cell; Nonmelanoma; Sarcomas of the skin; Skin cancer; Squamous cell.