Mohs Micrographic Surgery Group Research Articles

Survival Outcomes of Mohs Surgery versus Wide Local Excision for Less Common Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers: A Stabilized Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Analysis

Background: Compared with wide local excision (WLE), Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) can not only remove the tumor tissue but also ensure a negative margin. However, there is limited evidence on whether there is a difference in prognosis between the two techniques for less common nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare the survival outcomes of MMS and WLE for less common NMSCs. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results dataset between 2003 and 2018. The less common NMSCs include Merkel cell carcinoma, skin appendage neoplasm, fibromatous malignancy, and other rare NMSCs. The stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (SIPTW) and the Kaplan-Meier methods were adopted to assess the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Furthermore, the Cox proportional hazards, Fine-and-Gray regression analysis, and subgroup analysis models were applied to examine the effects of MMS versus WLE based on all-cause and cancer-specific mortality. Results: We identified 6,582 individuals with less common NMSCs for survival analysis, among which 1,946 patients (29.5%) had undergone MMS and 4,636 (70.5%) had received WLE. Diseases diagnosed in the most recent year, older age, the White race, married status, eyelid/face site, small tumor size, and localized disease were factors significantly associated with MMS treatment. Compared with the WLE group, the MMS group had comparable OS before and after the SIPTW analysis. Additionally, after adjusting for other confounding covariates, the surgery type (WLE vs. MMS) did not show significant associations with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94–1.14, p = 0.517) and disease-specific mortality (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.95–1.42, p = 0.134). Moreover, the subgroup analysis validated these findings. Conclusion: MMS and WLE have comparable OS and CSS for less common NMSCs.

Predictors for margin of resection >4 mm in the management of periocular basal cell carcinoma.

PurposeTo determine the margin of resection (MOR) for periocular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and compare the outcomes of BCC treatment, namely Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and wide excision with later reconstruction (WELR).MethodsThis is a retrospective, comparative, interventional study of patients who underwent surgical treatment of periocular BCC. One hundred forty-two patients were included. One hundred patients were treated with MMS and 42 with WELR. Inclusion criteria were primary periocular BCC with postoperative follow-up of ≥6 months, age more than 18-year-old. Exclusion criteria were, orbital extension, BCC origin outside the periocular area, or those associated with Gorling or nevoid BCC. The main outcome measure was variables associates with MOR >4 mm.ResultsThere was a positive correlation between the preoperative tumor horizontal and vertical diameter with the corresponding MOR, of 0.27 (p = 0.01) and 0.28 (p = 0.007), respectively. Receiver operating characteristics suggest that a tumor with a horizontal diameter ≥5 mm or a vertical diameter of ≥6 mm, might need MOR >4 mm. One patient in the MMS group had BCC recurrence compared to none in the WELR group, and one patient in the WELR had a positive surgical margin, which was cleared during the reconstruction.ConclusionsBCC tumor margins may extend far beyond clinical margins and the MOR required is often more than 3–4 mm. MMS ensures clear tumor margins but is not practical for all patients. A stratification system could help divide patients between the treatment strategies.

Mohs micrographic surgery versus wide local excision for head and neck melanoma-in-situ

Background: Various surgical options can be used to remove melanoma in situ (MIS). These include wide local excision (WLE), staged excision, and Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). For MIS lesions located in the head and neck regions, the WLE approach may not always be a technically feasible option if both cosmesis and anatomical function is to be preserved.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEERs) cancer registry. A total of 7933 cases of MIS in the head and neck region were included in this study, of which 5353 cases were treated by WLE and the remaining 2580 cases by MMS.Results: Comparing between the WLE and MMS group, cancer-specific survival rates at 5 (99% vs. 99%) and 10 years (98% vs. 98%) as well as the 5 year overall survival rate (85% vs. 86%) were similar. After adjusting for confounders, there was no significant difference in cancer-specific survival (HR: 0.902, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.539–1.511, p = .695) and overall-survival (HR: 0.943, 0.813–1.093, p = .435).Conclusions: For cosmetic and functional purposes, MMS is a valid and suitable alternative to WLE to treat MIS due to its tissue-preserving nature particularly in the head and neck region.Key PointsOur adjusted analysis demonstrates similar overall and cancer-specific survival for Mohs surgery vs wide local excision for head and neck melanoma-in-situFor cosmetic and functional purposes, MMS is a valid and suitable alternative to WLE to treat MISThis is due to its tissue-preserving nature particularly in the head and neck region

Mohs micrographic surgery for eyelid sebaceous carcinoma: A multicenter cohort of 360 patients

The decision toperform Mohsmicrographic surgery (MMS) or wide local excision (WLE) for eyelid sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is controversial. To compare local recurrence, metastasis, and tumor-related mortality of patients with eyelid SC who were initially treated with MMS versus with WLE. A multicenter cohort study. Medical records were reviewed for factors associated with recurrence, metastasis, and tumor-related mortality. All eligible patients were followed up. The impact of initial surgical modality on the prognoses were determined by Cox analyses after control for all confounders. Of the 360 patients included in this cohort, 115 (31.9%) underwent MMS as primary resection, whereas 245 (68.1%) underwent WLE. After a median follow-up period of 60.0months, local recurrence was observed in 18 patients (15.7%) in the MMS group and 97 patients (39.6%) in the WLE group. Metastasis occurred in 9 patients (7.8%) who underwent MMS and 38 (15.5%) who underwent WLE. In all, 6 patients in the MMS group (5.2%) and 21 in the WLE group (8.6%) died of metastatic SC. Multivariable Cox regression indicated that compared with the WLE group, the MMS group exhibited more favorable local recurrence control (hazard ratio [HR], 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.73; P=.002) but a comparable metastasis rate (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.60-3.18; P=.453) and comparable tumor-related mortality (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.59-4.93; P=.329). However, this beneficial effect became nonremarkable for patients with pagetoid intraepithelial neoplasia (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 0.37-8.21; P=.488). Retrospective nature of the study. MMS should be proposed for eyelid SC without orbital involvement to achieve recurrence control; however, this surgical procedure did not change the long-term outcomes in terms of metastasis ortumor-related mortality. Patients with pagetoid intraepithelial neoplasia may require adjuvant measures.

The efficacy of Mohs micrographic surgery over the traditional wide local excision surgery in the cure of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Usually most patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) may present rather late when the tumor is in protuberant phase due to its rarity and indolent onset. It has a high propensity for local recurrence and destructive nature. Management of DFSP requires a biopsychosocial and Multidisplinary approach regardless of the clinical or immunohistochemical variant. Surgery is the Gold standard management of localized disease. DFSP rarely exhibits any lymphatic or hematogenous dissemination. It is because of its high recurrence rate associated with Wide Local Excision (WLE), the introduction of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has really helped in reducing the rates of recurrence of DFSP. Thus, the aim of this meta-analysis and systemic review is to advocate for MMS over WLE for DFSP and other cutaneous malignancies using DFSP as a prototype. The objective of this study were to conduct a meta-analysis on comparative surgical methods used in the cure of DFSP with regards to WLE verses MMS, to evaluate the cure rates with relation to recurrence rates, offer a recommendation on the various treatment modalities based on the location of lesion, and use of adjuvant therapy in different clinical-medical setups. A comprehensive retrospective analysis search in EMBASE, Google Scholar and Medline (PubMed) for studies published from 2008 to 2018 containing the surgical management of DFSP with WLE verses MMS were reviewed. Five studies of moderate-quality evidence (level B) with a pooled patient load of 684 was analyzed and found for recurrence of DFSP after WLE and MMS to be 9.10% and 2.72% respectively after an average follow-up time for both groups of 5.32 years with a female predominance of 1.58. The trunk is the commonest site for the DFSP lesion which was at 52.80% then the upper and lower extremities zones and the head and neck zones at 31.75% and 15.45% respectively. The pooled adjusted odds ratio (OR) analysis indicated that there was a direct relationship with regards the reduced recurrence rate of DFSP in the MMS group compared to the WLE group (OR:0.31;95%; CI :0.17-0.56). Furthermore, there was significant association between the reduced recurrence rate with the MMS in DFSP patients with a statistical P-value of 0.0001 at 95% CI. The expected increased recurrence rate by zones was in WLE head and neck zone at 38.19% then trunk and extremities zone at 13.34%. In the MMS group it was at of 23.4% as compared to 16.0% in the head and neck zone. Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) is more efficacious in the cure rate and recurrence reduction of DFSP and should be advocated for as first line therapy especially in high recurrence prone zones.

Application of Mohs microsurgery in nasal basal cell carcinoma

Objective: To discuss the application of Mohs microsurgery in nasal and facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and analyze the pathological and clinical features. Methods: The clinical data of 127 patients who were diagnosed by pathology as nasal and facial BCC in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2010 to January 2015 were retrospectively analysed. The value of Mohs microsurgery was discussed and the nasal & facial sites of BCC lesions, clinical and histopathology features were summarized. Results: The proportion of male and female was 1.27︰1 in 127 patients, the ages ranged from 27 to 91 years. The top three inflicted area in nasal and facial was followed by nasal dorsum, nasal root and upper lip.The most frequent clinical type was nodular ulcerative type.The most common pathological type was nodular and pigmented. Routine surgical resection was performed in 62 cases (48.8%) while Mohs micrographic surgery in 38 cases (29.9%). Follow-up duration was 37 months on average. Local recurrence occurred in 5 cases in routine surgical resection group while there was no recurrence in Mohs micrographic surgery group. There was no distant metastasis in all cases. Conclusions: There are few specific clinical manifestation in nasal & facial BCC. Surgical treatment is prefered, especially by Mohs micrographic surgery, because it can strictly control the scope of surgical resection and obtain malformation repairment as well as beauty in nasal and facial region.

Outcomes of Melanoma In Situ Treated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery Compared With Wide Local Excision

Melanoma in situ (MIS) is increasing in incidence, and expert consensus opinion recommends surgical excision for therapeutic management. Currently, wide local excision (WLE) is the standard of care. However, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is now used to treat a growing subset of individuals with MIS. During MMS, unlike WLE, the entire cutaneous surgical margin is evaluated intraoperatively for tumor cells. To assess the outcomes of patients with MIS treated with MMS compared with those treated with WLE. Retrospective review of a prospective database. The study cohort consisted of 662 patients with MIS treated with MMS or WLE per standard of care in dermatology and surgery (general surgery, otolaryngology, plastics, oculoplastics, surgical oncology) at an academic tertiary care referral center from January 1, 1978, to December 31, 2013, with follow-up through 2015. Mohs micrographic surgery or WLE. Recurrence, overall survival, and melanoma-specific survival. There were 277 patients treated with MMS (mean [SD] age, 64.0 [13.1] years; 62.1% male) and 385 treated with WLE (mean [SD] age, 58.5 [15.6] years; P < .001 for age; 54.8% male). Median follow-up was 8.6 (range, 0.2-37) years. Compared with WLE, MMS was used more frequently on the face (222 [80.2%] vs 141 [36.7%]) and scalp and neck (23 [8.3%] vs 26 [6.8%]; P < .001). The median (range) year of diagnosis was 2008 (1986-2013) for the MMS group vs 2003 (1978-2013) for the WLE group (P < .001). Overall recurrence rates were 5 (1.8%) in the MMS group and 22 (5.7%) in the WLE group (P = .07). Mean (SD) time to recurrence after MMS was 3.91 (4.4) years, and after WLE, 4.45 (2.7) years (P = .73). The 5-year recurrence rate was 1.1% in the MMS group and 4.1% in the WLE group (P = .07). For WLE-treated tumors, the surgical margin taken was greater for tumors that recurred compared with tumors that did not recur (P = .003). Five-year overall survival for MMS was 92% and for WLE was 94% (P = .28). Melanoma-specific mortality for the MMS group was 2 vs 13 patients for the WLE group, with mean (SD) survival of 6.5 (4.8) and 6.1 (0.8) years, respectively (P = .77). No significant differences were found in the recurrence rate, overall survival, or melanoma-specific survival of patients with MIS treated with MMS compared with WLE.

Comparison of electronic brachytherapy and Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of early-stage non-melanoma skin cancer: a matched pair cohort study.

PurposeHigh-dose-rate electronic brachytherapy (EBT) provides a non-surgical treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). This matched-pair cohort study compared the outcomes of treatment with EBT to those of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in patients with NMSC.Material and methodsAt four treatment centers, patients treated with EBT were case matched to patients treated with MMS based on retrospectively-collected patient age, lesion size, location and type, and year of treatment. Follow-up data were prospectively collected and included local recurrence, toxicities, cosmesis, and patient-reported outcomes.ResultsThe 369 patients (188 in the EBT treatment group and 181 in the MMS treatment group) had 416 lesions (208 in the EBT group and 208 in the MMS group), including 226 basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and 190 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Most patients were Caucasian (98.9% and 99.5%) and male (65.4% and 66.3%) of median age 80.7 (range: 61-98) (EBT) and 76.8 (range: 51-98) years (MMS). Most lesions were size > 1 cm and ≤ 2 cm, and located on the head. At mean 3.4 years post-treatment, 99.5% of EBT, and 100.0% of MMS-treated lesions were free of recurrence (p = ns). One recurrence was noted in the EBT group. Physicians rated cosmesis as “excellent” or “good” in 97.6% of EBT-treated lesions, and 95.7% of MMS-treated lesions.ConclusionsThis matched-pair cohort study supports the use of EBT as an effective non-surgical treatment option for NMSC with equivalent recurrence rates and cosmetic outcomes to MMS in appropriately-selected patients with early stage NMSC at extended follow-up.

Five-year outcomes of wide excision and Mohs micrographic surgery for primary lentigo maligna in an academic practice cohort.

Wide local excision with 5-mm margins is the standard of care for lentigo maligna (LM). Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is used increasingly to treat this tumor. To study the authors' experience with these 2 approaches. Primary LM cases treated at the authors' institution from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2005, were studied retrospectively. Main outcome measures were recurrence and outcomes after treatment for recurrence. In total, 423 LM lesions were treated in 407 patients: 269 (64%) with wide excision and 154 (36%) with MMS. In the MMS group (primarily larger head and neck lesions with indistinct clinical margins), recurrence rates were 3 of 154 (1.9%). In the wide excision group (primarily smaller, nonhead and neck, or more distinct lesions), recurrence rates were 16 of 269 (5.9%). Each of the 16 recurrences was biopsy proven and treated surgically: 6 by standard excision and 10 by MMS. This follow-up study of LM surgical treatments shows excellent outcomes for wide excision and MMS. Because this is a nonrandomized retrospective study, no direct comparisons between the 2 treatments can be made. When recurrences occurred, repeat surgery, either standard excision or MMS, was usually sufficient to provide definitive cure.

Mohs Versus Surgical Excision in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

Every year, nearly 1.2 million people are affected by nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in the United States. Most published data focus on comparing the efficacy of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) versus traditional surgical excision (TSE) for NMSCs in H-zone lesions of the face. There is paucity of data regarding the 2 treatments in other areas such as the non-H-zone areas of the face, the trunk, and extremities. Our study focused on the efficacy of the 2 treatments in areas of the body where the skin was not of premium. A retrospective chart review was performed of patients with NMSCs treated with TSE at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital between 2000 and 2008. Patients with at least a 3-year follow-up were selected for the study. Institutional review board approval was obtained before commencement of the study. Age, sex, and race-matched patients were selected in the MMS group. Data collected included demographic data, tumor characteristics, surgical treatment, reconstructions, recurrence rates, complications, and follow-up course. Data were analyzed using SigmaStat 3.5. A total of 588 patients were treated for NMSCs at our institute between 2000 and 2008, of which 289 patients had non-H-zone, extremity, and trunk lesions. The follow-up period for these patients was at least 3 years. Average age of this group was 67.1 (11.4) with 89.9% being males. Age, sex, and race-matched group of 200 patients treated with MMS for NMSCs were randomly chosen from the same time range. Average size of lesions was 17.4 (16.9) mm in the TSE group and 1.1 (0.4) mm in the MMS group (P < 0.05). Primary reconstruction was performed in non-premium areas (ie, non-H-zone areas of the face, the trunk, and extremities) in 98.7% patients in the TSE group and 61.5% patients in the MMS group (P < 0.05). Secondary reconstructive rate was 1.3% in TSE compared to 37.5% in MMS. Overall recurrence rate was 4.8% (compared to 3% with MMS). Of the 29 patients who had recurrences within the TSE group, 27 were H-zone lesions and 2 were non-H-zone lesions. One of the primary goals of NMSC management is to treat the lesion with adequate oncologic margins, while preserving maximal function and cosmesis. Our data look at the non-premium areas to quantify the clinical efficacy of TSE versus MMS. The size of lesions treated by TSE was significantly larger than those treated by MMS in all areas of the body. The primary closure rates were significantly higher and secondary procedure rates significantly lower in the TSE group compared to the MMS group, in non-premium areas. Our data suggest that patients with NMSCs may be more effectively treated with TSE than MMS in non-premium areas of the body. Additional studies are ongoing, including economic modeling and cost analysis.

Randomized Comparison of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Surgical Excision for Small Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is recognized globally as the criterion standard for high-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The main advantage of MMS over conventional surgery is the chance of complete tumor removal, but it is also thought, based on experience, to be tissue sparing.To determine whether MMS leaves smaller surgical defects than standard surgery.This was a randomized trial involving 30 patients with a clinical diagnosis of BCC. Patients were randomly assigned to MMS or standard surgery. In the standard surgery group the BCCs were excised with 4-mm margins. In the MMS group, tumors were excised with 2-mm margins and subsequent stages of MMS until the tumor was completely removed. An observer unaware of the treatment allocation calculated the defect size. The main outcome measure was defect size in mm(2).The median area of the surgical defects in the MMS group was 116.6 mm(2), versus 187.7 mm(2) in the standard surgery group (95% confidence interval for difference=61-126, p<.001).This is the first randomized trial demonstrating that MMS is a tissue-sparing treatment.http://www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00571363. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Staged excision versus Mohs micrographic surgery for lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma

Lentigo maligna (LM) is a relatively common tumor with increasing prevalence and substantial morbidity. A variety of treatment modalities are available, though margin-control surgery offers the highest cure rate. We were interested in comparing long-term outcomes of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) versus staged excision with permanent sections (SE) for treating LM or LM melanoma (LMM). Comparative study consisting of retrospective chart review from our private practice. Fifty-seven patients (31 male, 26 female, mean age at diagnosis 69.1 +/- 10.1 years) were treated in our office for LM (50) or LMM (9) between January 1986 and December 2001. Forty-one tumors (71%) were located on the head and neck. Fifty-three of the 59 tumors (90%) were primary, and 6/59 (10%) were recurrent at the time of initial treatment. Forty-one tumors (36 LM, 5 LMM) were treated with SE, and 18 (14 LM, 4 LMM) were treated with MMS. The mean preoperative lesion size (1.5 +/- 0.2 cm2 for SE; 1.2 +/- 0.4 cm2 for MMS), mean postoperative defect size (7.1 +/- 1 cm2 for SE; 7.1 +/- 1.4 cm2 for MMS), and the ratio of postoperative defect to preoperative lesion size (7.9-fold increase for SE, 11.2-fold increase for MMS) were similar between the cohorts. Mean number of stages for clear margins were similar, with 1.8 +/- 0.2 stages (range: 1-7) for SE and 2.0 +/- 0.2 stages (range: 1-4) for MMS; clear margins were obtained in one or two stages in 85% of cases for SE and in 67% for MMS. Three recurrences (3/41; 7.3%) occurred in the SE group while 6 recurrences (6/18; 33%) occurred in the MMS group (P < .025). The mean follow-up duration was 95 months (range: 60-240) in the SE group and 117.5 months (range: 61-157) in the MMS group. Results are limited to a single practice site and fewer patients underwent MMS compared to SE. Patients were not randomized as cases were ascertained retrospectively. Staged excision of LM and LMM is associated with a significantly lower recurrence rate with no difference in surgical defect size compared to MMS. To our knowledge, this is the first study directly comparing these two surgical techniques for managing this form of melanoma. Our extended follow-up duration exceeds that of most previous reports.

Clinical Course, Risk Factors, and Treatment of Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a locally aggressive neoplasm of both eccrine and follicular differentiation; it commonly presents on the head and neck of white middle-aged to older patients. OBJECTIVE To review the course, risk factors, and management of 10 patients with microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) and to compare treatment outcome by either Mohs micrographic surgery or standard surgical excision. METHODS Tumor registry databases were used to identify cases at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Fifteen cases that were coded as MAC were reviewed. Ten cases were subsequently confirmed to be MAC. From these cases, data were collected on patient demographics, tumor location and size, risk exposure, metastasis, treatment, and recurrence of tumors. RESULTS The average age of the patients was 63.4, and females outnumbered males seven to three. Nine tumors were located on the head and neck area. Five patients had a history of radiation therapy, and two patients were sisters. The first-time procedure was Mohs micrographic surgery in four cases and surgical excision in six cases. Three patients in the surgical excision group needed a second procedure, two of whom thereafter underwent Mohs micrographic surgery. In the Mohs micrographic surgery group, none of the patients required a second procedure, and all of the patients were disease free at an average of 23.3 months. One recurrence was noted in the surgical excision group, and the average follow-up was 32 months. CONCLUSION This report supports the use of Mohs micrographic surgery for tumor control with the least possible procedures. Risk factors appear to include radiation treatment, ultraviolet exposure, and possibly genetics.