Background: Head and neck keratinocyte carcinomas are frequently managed surgically; anatomic constraints may increase the risk of incomplete excision and influence reconstructive choices. Objectives: To describe the clinicopathological characteristics of head and neck non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) treated in a tertiary care dermatology department and to explore factors associated with resection status (R0 vs R1) and reconstructive approach after conventional excision. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of 117 patients undergoing excision of 134 primary head and neck NMSC between September 2025 and January 2026. Demographic, clinical, histopathological, and procedure-related variables were extracted from medical records and pathology reports. Margin status was assessed for conventionally excised lesions. Results: Most lesions were basal cell carcinomas (113/134, 84.3%) and were located on the cheek (31.3%) or nose (29.8%). Conventional excision was performed in 126/134 lesions (94%). Among conventionally excised lesions, 92% had complete resection (R0) and 8% had positive margins (R1), most commonly involving the lateral margin. Conclusions: In this single-center cohort, head and neck NMSC clustered in high-risk anatomic regions, and a small proportion of conventionally excised tumors showed positive margins. Clear reporting of margin involvement and reconstruction patterns may support quality improvement and guide future prospective follow-up.
Due to its scarcity, the basosquamous carcinoma represents a challenging pathology both as a result of its aggressiveness and potential of relapse and metastases, and also due to unclear management guides. Encountered under the name of basal cell carcinoma or metatypical carcinoma, the pathophysiology of such tumors is still unclear and it is not known yet if it either derives from a basal cell carcinoma or it could be a variant of transition to a squamous cell carcinoma. Due to low incidence, unclear treatment protocols and not enough research regarding squamous component in the aggressivity of basosquamous carcinoma, the aim of this paper is to analyze histopathological features of 5 cases of basosquamous carcinoma from Plastic Surgery Department of Emergency University Hospital, Bucharest, and correlate them with current literature.
The squamous cell carcinoma antigen is a tumor marker that is receiving more interest due to its biological properties and importance in both pathological and normal physiological processes. Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to determine the potential function of squamous cell carcinoma antigen and its isoform complexes in clinical practice. These studies have been prompted by the fact that not only squamous cell carcinoma antigen but also circulating immune complexes of it and immunoglobulin M are involved in normal physiological and pathological processes. The therapeutic use of squamous cell carcinoma antigen as a tumor marker for either squamous carcinoma diagnosis or for monitoring the response to radiation or chemotherapy, tumor recurrence, and treatment failure are supported by prior investigations. The diagnostic or prognostic utility of squamous cell carcinoma antigen is debatable, nevertheless, as these investigations provide conflicting findings. A uniform detection method, scoring system, and cutoff level must be devised to limit clinical variability between studies and to provide a more accurate and trustworthy comparison of data. Additionally, even if the effectiveness of several approaches is equivalent, only one method should be used for the dynamic monitoring of tumor marker kinetics.
A successful nose reconstruction is represented by a normal look and nasal breathing preservation. The choice of method is based on the site, size, depth of the defect, donor availability, and surgeon experience. There are multiple methods of restoring nasal cover, from primary repair to healing by secondary intention, from primary suture, skin graft to locoregional flaps, but all of them should be integrated into a personalized approach, keeping the nasal functions, a good aesthetic outcome and without any tumor infiltration. This paper consisting of a retrospective study of 9 patients diagnosticated with squamous cell carcinoma revealed the importance of skin properties and skin changes during aging. Despite all aesthetic principles, skin is the most important resource in facial reconstruction.
Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) represent a significant global public health burden, particularly in highincome countries. The increasing incidence of head and neck NMSC contributes to rising morbidity and necessitates multi-disciplinary management. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the incidence, demographic distribution, histological subtypes, and seasonal variation of NMSC over a five-year period at a tertiary center in Romania. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2024, including 180 patients diagnosed and treated for malignant skin lesions. Data were extracted from clinical and histopathological records. Chi-square tests assessed seasonal distribution, and Mann-Whitney U tests compared lesion depth and surface area between demographic groups. Results: A total of 388 malignant lesions were recorded. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was the most common subtype (n = 168), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n = 25). Most patients resided in urban areas, particularly Bucharest. Males presented with significantly deeper lesions (mean: 1.5 mm) compared to females (mean: 1.25 mm; p = 0.009). Seasonal analysis revealed a significant variation in incidence, with the lowest number of cases in spring (χ² = 10.31, p = 0.016). Conclusion: The incidence of malignant skin lesions increased from 2020 to 2023, followed by a decline in 2024. Seasonal and sex-related differences were observed, with the face being the most frequent site of involvement. While the sex distribution was relatively balanced, males exhibited significantly greater lesion depths compared to females.
