Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma

ABSTRACT Background Basocellular carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent skin malignancy, often localizing to the UV‐exposed skin of the face. While most BCC is relatively indolent, aggressive subtypes, including infiltrative BCC, pose the treatment challenges of ensuring functional and aesthetic pres...

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Main Authors: T. H. Pathirana, V. Bandaranayake, A. P. Nellihela, S. Nikeshala, T. Saranga, A. Abegunasekara, S. Gunathilake, N. J. Asanthi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Cancer Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70124
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author T. H. Pathirana
V. Bandaranayake
A. P. Nellihela
S. Nikeshala
T. Saranga
A. Abegunasekara
S. Gunathilake
N. J. Asanthi
author_facet T. H. Pathirana
V. Bandaranayake
A. P. Nellihela
S. Nikeshala
T. Saranga
A. Abegunasekara
S. Gunathilake
N. J. Asanthi
author_sort T. H. Pathirana
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Basocellular carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent skin malignancy, often localizing to the UV‐exposed skin of the face. While most BCC is relatively indolent, aggressive subtypes, including infiltrative BCC, pose the treatment challenges of ensuring functional and aesthetic preservation with a high risk of recurrence. Case A 78‐year‐old female patient complained of recurrent left chin BCC of infiltrative subtype, which was first treated in 2013 by wide local excision and adjuvant radiotherapy. Recurrent carcinoma was reported in 2017, 2021, and most recently in 2023. The most recent recurrence presented with scar contracture, facial asymmetry, and drooping of the lip. Surgical resection involved extensive excision of the lower lip and chin, exposing the mandible. Reconstruction was achieved with the help of bilaterally designed Karapandzic flaps for the lip and a bilobed rotational flap for the chin defect. Although no chemotherapy and immunotherapy were given, the functional and aesthetic result were satisfactory. The procedure was executed while preserving the pertinent neurovascular structures, maintaining oral competence, and restoring the lower face. The Karapandzic flap was helpful in maintaining the lip function, whereas the chin was reconstructed using the bilobed rotational flap. Post‐operative histology confirmed the diagnosis of BCC with squamous differentiation, which had clear margins. The patient did well and the cosmetic and functional outcome was satisfactory without any disease at 18 months after surgery. Conclusion This case sheds light on the difficulties encountered in treating recurrent facial BCC in developing countries. In the absence of systemic therapies, advanced surgical techniques and intensive follow‐up resulted in a long disease‐free period with good functional and aesthetic outcomes, thanks to the successful use of innovative reconstruction even in a low‐resource setting.
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spelling doaj-art-60c20427a3514372a3ec6a41581787d52025-01-30T15:46:35ZengWileyCancer Reports2573-83482025-01-0181n/an/a10.1002/cnr2.70124Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell CarcinomaT. H. Pathirana0V. Bandaranayake1A. P. Nellihela2S. Nikeshala3T. Saranga4A. Abegunasekara5S. Gunathilake6N. J. Asanthi7Surgical Oncology Unit Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaSurgical Oncology Unit Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaSurgical Oncology Unit Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaSurgical Oncology Unit Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaSurgical Oncology Unit Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaSurgical Oncology Unit Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaSurgical Oncology Unit Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaHistopathology Department Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Sri LankaABSTRACT Background Basocellular carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent skin malignancy, often localizing to the UV‐exposed skin of the face. While most BCC is relatively indolent, aggressive subtypes, including infiltrative BCC, pose the treatment challenges of ensuring functional and aesthetic preservation with a high risk of recurrence. Case A 78‐year‐old female patient complained of recurrent left chin BCC of infiltrative subtype, which was first treated in 2013 by wide local excision and adjuvant radiotherapy. Recurrent carcinoma was reported in 2017, 2021, and most recently in 2023. The most recent recurrence presented with scar contracture, facial asymmetry, and drooping of the lip. Surgical resection involved extensive excision of the lower lip and chin, exposing the mandible. Reconstruction was achieved with the help of bilaterally designed Karapandzic flaps for the lip and a bilobed rotational flap for the chin defect. Although no chemotherapy and immunotherapy were given, the functional and aesthetic result were satisfactory. The procedure was executed while preserving the pertinent neurovascular structures, maintaining oral competence, and restoring the lower face. The Karapandzic flap was helpful in maintaining the lip function, whereas the chin was reconstructed using the bilobed rotational flap. Post‐operative histology confirmed the diagnosis of BCC with squamous differentiation, which had clear margins. The patient did well and the cosmetic and functional outcome was satisfactory without any disease at 18 months after surgery. Conclusion This case sheds light on the difficulties encountered in treating recurrent facial BCC in developing countries. In the absence of systemic therapies, advanced surgical techniques and intensive follow‐up resulted in a long disease‐free period with good functional and aesthetic outcomes, thanks to the successful use of innovative reconstruction even in a low‐resource setting.https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70124basal cell cancercancer caredual flapfacial reconstructionhead and neck cancerkarapandzic flap
spellingShingle T. H. Pathirana
V. Bandaranayake
A. P. Nellihela
S. Nikeshala
T. Saranga
A. Abegunasekara
S. Gunathilake
N. J. Asanthi
Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma
Cancer Reports
basal cell cancer
cancer care
dual flap
facial reconstruction
head and neck cancer
karapandzic flap
title Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma
title_full Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma
title_fullStr Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma
title_short Case Report: The Versatile Art of Reconstruction: A Decade‐Long Journey With Recurrent Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma
title_sort case report the versatile art of reconstruction a decade long journey with recurrent facial basal cell carcinoma
topic basal cell cancer
cancer care
dual flap
facial reconstruction
head and neck cancer
karapandzic flap
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70124
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