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Updated: Jul 26, 2026
Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
Dense inflammation does not mask residual primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs micrographic surgery
K H Katz1, K F Helm, E M Billingsley
1Section of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, USA.
Background:
Areas of dense inflammation are commonly removed during Mohs micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma because of the concern that they may mask areas of tumor.
Objective:
Our purpose was to determine whether inflammation masks tumor during Mohs surgery for primary basal cell carcinoma.
Methods:
Twenty-five consecutive cases of primary basal cell carcinoma with areas of dense inflammation encountered during Mohs surgery were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Ber-EP4.
Results:
In no cases did the dense inflammation mask residual tumor.
Conclusion:
Dense inflammation does not mask primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs surgery and should be carefully evaluated before additional surgery is performed.
