Analysis of 1,620 basal cell carcinomas treated at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1981 to 1983 confirms that the majority of basal cell carcinomas occur on the face and that the relative risk for recurrent tumor is high in certain locations, especially the nose. Alternately, tumors found on the neck/scalp, trunk, and arms have a low relative risk of recurrence when compared to all other anatomic locations. More primary and fewer recurrent tumors now presenting to our unit have been referred for Mohs surgery as primary therapy. This results in higher cure rates for treatment of all basal cell carcinoma.