Beyond Mohs surgery and excisions: A focused review of treatment options for subtypes of basal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common nonmelanoma skin cancer. It originates from undifferentiated cells in the basal cell layer of the epidermis or from the outer root sheath of the hair follicle. The most important factor in development of BCC is ultraviolet radiation. Surgery is considered the gold standard of treatment for BCC. However, nonsurgical options are available for individuals who are unsuitable for surgery. The purpose of this review is to summarize the efficacy and indications of alternative, nonsurgical treatments that can be used in the management of BCC. An extensive literature review was performed for the nonsurgical options for the treatment of BCC. Resources searched included PubMed and Google Scholars, limited to the years 1995 to 2020. Key words searched included BCC, destructive methods, photodynamic therapy (PDT), radiotherapy, topical medication, laser, hedgehog pathway inhibitors (HPIs). The most relevant results such as systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, or comparative studies were selected to provide a summary for the most common nonsurgical methods used for treating BCC. Effective nonsurgical treatments for BCC include destructive methods (eg, curettage alone, cryosurgery, or electrodessication), PDT, topical medications, radiotherapy, laser, and HPIs. Nonsurgical therapeutic alternatives are safe and effective for the treatment of BCC. Factors such as tumor location, size, and histopathological subtype should be taken into consideration when selecting optimal treatment. In addition to clinical factors, cosmetic results and patient preference should be considered.