Investigating Active Surveillance for Management of Low-Risk Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Elderly

Summary

This clinical trial evaluates whether active surveillance (AS) is a safe and comfortable alternative to standard of care (SOC) treatment for elderly patients with low-risk basal cell carcinoma (LR-BCC). Basal cell carcinoma is a type of slow-growing skin cancer that has a very low risk of spreading inside the body (metastasis) or death. Basal cell skin cancers that are smaller across than a nickel in size and located on the trunk or limbs are particularly low risk to overall health. Active surveillance - watching and not treating unless the cancer worsens - has been shown to be a generally safe way to manage LR-BCC. Despite this, many doctors do not feel comfortable discussing this option with patients due to a lack of studies comparing it to standard of care treatment. Standard of care treatment for LR-BCC can include "scrape and burn" (electrodesiccation and curettage), surgical resection, Mohs surgery, and other approaches. These treatments can carry risks like post-operative bleeding and wound infection, and they do not always improve tumor-related quality of life. Active surveillance may be a safe and comfortable alternative to SOC treatment for elderly patients with LR-BCC.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

65+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Other
  Best Practice

  Receive SOC treatment

• Other
  Educational Activity

  Watch an educational video on AS for LR-BCC

• Other
  Patient Observation

  Undergo active surveillance

• Other
  Survey Administration

  Ancillary studies

Location