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Establishment of a Clinic-based Biorepository
Published on: May 29, 2017
Cost analysis: Mohs micrographic surgery.
Larisa Ravitskiy1, David G Brodland, John A Zitelli
1Department of Dermatology, Ohio Skin Cancer Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43230, USA.
Summary
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the most cost-effective skin cancer treatment compared to standard surgical excision (SSE). This finding holds true regardless of the surgical setting or margin control method used.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Surgical Oncology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Skin cancer incidence is rising, necessitating cost-efficient treatment strategies.
- Effective and affordable skin cancer removal is a significant healthcare priority.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the costs of skin cancer removal using Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) versus standard surgical excision (SSE).
- To evaluate costs based on different margin control methods (frozen or permanent) and surgical settings (office or ambulatory surgery center).
Main Methods:
- Cost data for actual MMS procedures were collected.
- Calculated costs for all SSE procedures were recorded.
- Costs included re-excision for incomplete excisions, reconstruction, and treatment of recurrent tumors.
Main Results:
- Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) was the least expensive option at $805 per tumor.
- Standard surgical excision (SSE) with permanent margins cost $1,026, SSE with frozen margins cost $1,200, and ASC-SSE with frozen margins cost $2,507.
- Adjusted for inflation, the cost of MMS, including follow-up, decreased from $1,635 in 1998 to $1,376 in 2009.
Conclusions:
- Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is confirmed as a cost-effective cornerstone for skin cancer treatment.
- Cost-effectiveness of MMS is consistent across different service locations and pathology margin control types.
