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Micrographic surgery ('slow Mohs') in cutaneous sarcomas
J Hafner1, K Schütz, W Morgenthaler
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. jhafner@derm.unizh.ch
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 23, 1999
Summary
Micrographic surgery (MS) effectively treats cutaneous sarcomas, significantly reducing local recurrence rates. This surgical approach offers a high cure rate for sarcomas with low metastatic potential.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Micrographic surgery (MS) is known for low local recurrence rates in skin tumors with subclinical infiltration.
- MS demonstrates potential utility in treating cutaneous sarcomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of micrographic surgery in minimizing local recurrence rates for cutaneous sarcomas.
Main Methods:
- Treated 10 patients with cutaneous sarcomas (5 dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, 5 others) using micrographic surgery.
- Utilized paraffin-embedded sections for surgical margin assessment.
- Employed special stains for recurrent tumors to differentiate tumor from scar tissue.
Main Results:
- All patients achieved successful treatment with no local recurrences observed at follow-up.
- One patient with high-grade malignant peripheral nerve tumor developed a solitary pulmonary metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Micrographic surgery is highly effective in minimizing local recurrence for cutaneous sarcomas.
- Cutaneous sarcomas with a low metastatic potential can be effectively cured using micrographic surgery.