Mohs micrographic surgery referral patterns: the University of Missouri experience

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) provides a higher cure rate for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) than other forms of therapy. The American Academy of Dermatology has published recommended guidelines for MMS referral. However, factors other than the location, size, and type of NMSC may often affect the referral process.

To tabulate and analyze the rates of referral of NMSC for MMS by the dermatology clinics within the University of Missouri system. Data obtained for every biopsy-proven basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) diagnosed at each of our four dermatology clinics during the 3-year period of October 1993-September 1996 were cross-referenced with our Mohs surgery clinic logbook to identify which patients had been referred for MMS.

During the study period, 19.2% of NMSC patients diagnosed were referred for MMS. However, there was significant disparity in referral rates among our four clinics. When the skewed data from our Veterans Administration Hospital clinic were discounted, the overall referral rate from the other clinics was found to be 30.8%.

Our finding of a 30.8% referral rate of NMSC for MMS (27. 4% for SCC and 32.9% for BCC) within our university dermatology system is similar to the rates found in previous studies by the Mayo Clinic and Brooke Army Medical Center. MMS referral patterns are affected by many factors besides whether the NMSC meets MMS criteria, including the preference of each individual referring physician, patient, and involved insurance carrier.