Can a Basal cell carcinoma return after surgery?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, scalp, neck, arms, and legs. BCCs are typically slow-growing and non-invasive, but they can sometimes recur (come back) after treatment.

The risk of BCC recurrence depends on several factors, including the:

- Size and location of the original tumor

- Completeness of the original surgical removal

- Patient's immune status

Recurrence rates for BCCs treated with Mohs surgery are generally low, ranging from 1% to 5%. Mohs surgery is a specialized surgical technique that allows the surgeon to remove the entire tumor while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. This helps to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Basal Cell Carcinomas treated with traditional surgical excisions have a slightly higher risk of recurrence, ranging from 5% to 10%. This is because with traditional surgery the surgeon uses their judgement on how much normal skin to take around the tumor. Mohs surgery, on the other hand, offers the highest chance of completely removing all the cancer cells along with a small amount of normal skin around it.

If a BCC does recur, it is usually within the first two years after treatment. This is why it is important for people who have been treated for BCC to follow up with their doctor regularly to check for any signs of recurrence.