In this review, we examine current literature analyzing the impact of surgical treatment on the QoL in patients with head and neck BCC. A comprehensive literature review was performed using the main databases. As many as six out of 322 articles were selected for the final analysis. The selected articles were published in the period between 2004 and 2021, most published within the last two years. All analyzed studies were prospective. Five out of six studies evaluated NMSC consisting of both BCC and SCC, and only one study selectively evaluated the impact of surgical treatment on QoL in patients with craniofacial BCC. Authors of the selected studies reported that QoL improves following the surgery; however, the effect on QoL varies. Patients’ age, gender, marital status, education level, and employment status had a stronger correlation with QoL postoperatively, especially during the late follow-up period. Younger patients were more bothered by appearance-related issues. One study concluded that elderly patients did not experience a statistically significant improvement in QoL. This literature review demonstrated that there is no clear consensus on the use of a single disease-specific QoL measurement tool. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies assessing the impact of surgical treatment on QoL exclusively in patients with head and neck BCC and studies analyzing the multivariate correlation between QoL and tumor type, size, anatomic site, and treatment outcomes.

Facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) surgery enhances the quality of life (QoL) but leaves patients with inferior QoL, presumably caused by scarring, emphasizing the need to understand post-surgery aesthetic satisfaction. This study aimed to validate the Lithuanian version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) 2.0 and utilise it to identify scar evaluation differences and correlations among POSAS scores and specific aesthetic facial regions, age, gender, surgery types, and short- and long-term QoL. Employing a prospective longitudinal design, 100 patients with facial scars after surgical BCC removal were enrolled. The validation phase confirmed the translated POSAS 2.0 psychometric properties, while the pilot phase used statistical analyses to compare scores among demographic and clinical groups and evaluate correlations between scar assessment and QoL. The findings indicate that the translated Lithuanian version of POSAS 2.0 exhibits good psychometric properties, revealing insights into aesthetic satisfaction with post-surgical facial scars and their impact on QoL. The Lithuanian version of the POSAS 2.0 was established as a valid instrument for measuring post-surgical linear scars. QoL with scar assessment statistically significantly correlates, 6 months after surgery, with worse scores, particularly notable among women, younger patients, and those with tumours in the cheek region.

Facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, yet delays in diagnosis and treatment persist. These delays affect quality of life (QoL), advance disease progression, and increase healthcare burden. This study explores the relationship between symptom diversity, QoL, and care-seeking behaviors, focusing on the impact of symptoms on clinical outcomes and consultation timing. A total of 278 adults with histologically confirmed facial BCC underwent surgical treatment at Vilnius University Hospital from November 2022 to April 2024. The data collected included demographics, tumor characteristics, and self-reported symptoms (pain, bleeding, itching, tumor presence, discomfort, and erosion). Disease-specific QoL was assessed using the Skin Cancer Index. ANCOVA compared QoL across symptom groups, multiple regression analyzed symptom effects on QoL, and logistic regression evaluated care-seeking behavior over time. Cox regression assessed symptom associations with time to medical consultation. The mean time from symptom onset to consultation was 21 months. Tumor presence (27%), erosion (18%), and discomfort (17%) were the most reported symptoms. Discomfort significantly reduced QoL in emotional, social, and appearance domains (p < 0.05). Logistic regression showed tumor presence and pain were associated with earlier care-seeking within 12 months (p < 0.05). Other symptoms, such as bleeding, itching, and erosion, did not significantly influence consultation timing. The findings highlight the need for public education and proactive patient counseling to promote timely intervention and reduce the disease progression.

Eccrine porocarcinoma, sharing many features with other skin tumours, is diagnostically challenging. A conventional biopsy might be misleading and surgical excision becomes a primary diagnostic tool and a treatment method. However, the data on surgical safety margins are not consistent. We present a systematic review analysing the surgical margins of porocarcinoma in the head and neck area, which was conducted across the PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases including studies published from inception to November of 2023. In this systematic review, the PRISMA-ScR checklist was used, and a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.92 was applied, indicating very good agreement between reviewers. Out of 529 identified articles, 18 studies yielding 20 cases in total were selected for a thorough analysis. Nine (45%) cases were observed in the facial regions, eight (40%) on the scalp, and three (5%) on the neck. The primary treatment of choice was wide local excision with safety margins ranging from 3 to 22 mm (mean: 10.1). It demonstrated that surgical margins do not differ by age or anatomic regions, with the main point of reference being the tumour size. As observed, the bigger the tumour, the wider the safety margins were. However, the limited disclosure of surgical safety margins in analysed case reports impeded our ability to define the minimum safety margins. Further investigation and a consensus on recommended safety margins are required.

Purpose: Facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) poses significant challenges due to its potential for local destruction and impact on quality of life (QoL). Continuous research is necessary to identify novel factors influencing the quality of life within this demographic across diverse cultural settings. The aims of this study were to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Lithuanian version of Skin Cancer Index, subsequently utilizing this questionnaire in the pilot phase of the study to achieve the following: (1) identify the differences in short- and long-term QoL, (2) establish empirical correlations between SCI scores and aesthetic facial regions, evaluate the potential differences between age, gender, and tumor size groups. Patients and Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 100 consecutive patients. The SCI was translated into Lithuanian language, with a rigorous assessment of its psychometric properties to confirm validity. Alongside hypothesis testing, a detailed analysis of variables was conducted. Statistical techniques, including t-tests and ANOVA, were employed to compare scores across demographic and clinical groups, with effect size calculations for further interpretation. Results: Our findings demonstrate that the Lithuanian SCI successfully fulfills the criteria established by the COSMIN checklist. Surgical treatment for facial BCC notably enhances QoL, particularly evident six months post-surgery. Analysis of SCI scores identified demographic and clinical factors associated with lower QoL, including female gender, treatment with skin plasty, and tumor sites in aesthetically sensitive areas like the cheek, nose, and eyelid. Conclusion: The Lithuanian version of the SCI is a reliable and valid tool for assessing QoL in facial BCC patients. Our findings underscore the global relevance of understanding the multifactorial influences on QoL in BCC patients. Early diagnosis, less invasive treatment approaches, and tailored post-operative care are crucial in minimizing the psychological, social, and appearance-related burdens of facial BCC.