Meta-analysis of surgical intervention for basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of localized skin cancer. The BCC usually affect the area that is exposed to the sunlight. It usually happens on the head area and seldom in the area of genital. It is the most common human cancer. Although it is not metastasized to other organ and life threatening, it can destroy the structure of skin and cause a significant cosmetic disruption especially if it occurs on the face .Despite of its slow progression of development, the BCC should never be underestimated. There are several of treatments available to treat the basal cell carcinoma including the cryotherapy, radiotherapy, phototherapy and surgical intervention. There were two surgical techniques/intervention being evaluated in this meta-analysis, namely Mohs micrographic surgery and surgical excision. Mohs microscopy surgery is deemed the most effective treatment to remove basal cell carcinomas. The principle of the surgery is to remove cancerous tissue layer by layer until it is cancer-free under microscopic examination. While surgical excision is the gold standard in treating, various types skin cancer. The tissue excised will be then examined histologically. Results were compared using Chi-square goodness of fit and independence tests. In conclusion, there is no evidence that Mohs micrographic surgery has significant advantage over surgical excision.