More surgery after excisional biopsy for basal cell carcinoma?

Answered August 27, 2011 15:34. For basal cells, there can be little tentacles stretching out from the tumor. For most basal cell cancers, a simple excision while checking margins is appropriate. Almost 1/4 require one final re-excision to get completely around the tumor. small basal cell cancers are removed in the office. Bigger tumors are done in a day surgery environment, where a pathologist is standing by to check the margins right then (this adds to the cost). There is a technique called MOH's, which is a bit more complicated and is usually limited to basal cell cancers which arise on the face.