Same Day Biopsy and Treatment of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Patients with Field Cancerization: A Retrospective Chart Study

BACKGROUND: Patients with field cancerization will develop numerous superficial non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). Treating patients with field cancerization can be challenging and burdensome due to the numerous non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) they develop and the frequent dermatology visits required for biopsy and treatment. OBJECTIVE: The success rate of diagnosing and treating lesions suspicious for NMSCs on the same day is measured, immediately after biopsy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with same day lesion diagnosis and curettage treatment to determine diagnostic accuracy, treatment failure, and number needed to treat to reduce a follow-up treatment. RESULTS: A total of 237 lesions underwent same day biopsy and treatment, of which the majority were NMSC (66%) or actinic keratosis (23%). Patients had at least 3 months and a median of 17 months follow-up. A total of 20 lesions either recurred or were deemed to require additional treatment. The number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one follow-up treatment was 1.3. Limitations: sample size limited ability to determine risk factors for treatment failure. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of superficial NMSCs is a successful way of improving efficiency and patient satisfaction.