Basal cell carcinoma in young adults: Not more aggressive than in older patients

Background: An increased incidence of sporadic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been observed in young adults within the last years. It has been hypothesized that these BCC in younger subjects might be more aggressive compared to BCC in the elderly. Objective: To compare BCC recurrence rates between young and older patients. Methods: Retrospective study of patients under the age of 35 years (group 1) with previously untreated BCC and comparison with BCC in patients older than 35 years (group 2). Each patient in group 1 was matched with 2 patients in group 2. Results: 70 patients in group 1 and 140 patients in group 2 were included. The median follow-up was 76 months. In group 1, 13% of the BCC were of the morphea-like type and 9% in group 2 (p = 0.30), respectively. The 5-year recurrence rate was 4.6% in group 1 and 9.8% in group 2. They did not significantly differ between the two groups (log rank test p = 0.48). Conclusion: BCC in young patients are not more aggressive than in older patients.