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Mohs micrographic surgery: established uses and emerging trends.
Brent E Pennington1, David J Leffell
1Department of Dermatology Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.)
|November 1, 2005
Summary
Mohs micrographic surgery offers superior skin cancer tumor clearance while preserving healthy tissue. This precise technique is effective for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and is being explored for rarer skin neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Cutaneous tumors require effective treatment with maximal tissue sparing.
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most common skin cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe Mohs micrographic surgery as a technique for cutaneous tumor removal.
- To highlight its efficacy in treating common skin cancers and its expanding role in rarer neoplasms.
Main Methods:
- Sequential removal of thin tissue layers.
- Examination of all peripheral and deep margins for residual tumor.
- Microscopic analysis of excised tissue margins.
Main Results:
- Mohs surgery ensures complete tumor clearance.
- Maximizes conservation of surrounding healthy tissue.
- Demonstrates superiority over conventional excision for BCC and SCC.
Conclusions:
- Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly effective treatment for skin cancers.
- Its application is being extended to less common and more complex cutaneous neoplasms.
- This technique offers optimal outcomes for both efficacy and tissue preservation.