The role of EGFR overexpression on the recurrence of basal cell carcinomas with positive surgical margins.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression may have role on recurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with positive surgical margin(s).

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the role of genetic expression changes of EGFR on recurrence rates in patients in follow up with surgically excised BCC with positive surgical margin(s).

METHODS: Thirty-four surgical margin-positive BCC lesions that were closely followed up without an immediate reoperation were included in this study. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed from the both healthy and tumoral tissue samples.

RESULTS: EGFR was expressed at a significantly higher rate in tumoral tissues compared to healthy tissues (p < 0,05). In patients with recurrence lesions, EGFR expression was 6,66 times higher compared to patients with non-recurrent. Also, there was statistically significant difference EGFR expression for infiltrative subtypes (p < 0,05).

CONCLUSION: Our study focuses on the role of EGFR overexpression specifically and outcomes for recurrent and infiltrative subtyped lesions are significant for both clinic and pathogenesis of BCC. Similar studies have to be performed with high numbered patient groups.