ANALYSIS OF INFILTRATING EPITHELIOMAS OF THE NOSE EXAMINED FROM 1986 TO 1995

Objective: Epitheliomas of the nose are frequently highly aggressive l esions with wide cutaneous-subcutaneous growth or an infiltrative grow th pattern, especially when located at the columellar base, the alar b ase, and toward the inner chantal region. The aim of this study was to review this lesion with respect to location, recurrence, and treatmen t. Method: The authors present a retrospective study of 193 infiltrati ng epitheliomas of the nose examined between 1986 and 1995, including primary and recurrent cases. The authors term ''clinically infiltratin g epithelioma'' any epithelioma whose growth implies the infiltration of the osteocartilaginous framework. Results: The analysis of this cas e series, based on the histotype and the site of the epitheliomas, con firms that most of the primary histologically infiltrating basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and of the recurrent BCCs are located at the alar ba se. The analysis of recurrences shows an aggressive local behaviour (m ultiple recurrences in the same site, change of the histologic pattern toward a more malignant one, etc.) suggesting that many of them were submitted to an insufficient physical or surgical treatment in the pas t. Conclusions: A radical surgical approach at the first signs of the primary lesion is mandatory in cases of nasal epithelioma.