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Functionality of Patients 75 Years and Older Undergoing Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Multicenter Study
Christie G Regula1, Murad Alam, Ramona Behshad
1*Vujevich Dermatology Associates, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; †Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; ‡Department of Dermatology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; §The Dermatology Group, West Orange, New Jersey; ‖Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, Carmel, Indiana; ¶Surgical Dermatology Group, Birmingham, Alabama; #Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center of Princeton, Princeton, New Jersey; **Dermatologic Surgery Specialists, PC, Macon, Georgia; ††Mercer Medical School, Macon, Georgia; ‡‡Department of Dermatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; §§Division of Dermatology, Cooper University Hospital, Marlton, New Jersey.
Most older patients undergoing Mohs surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer are highly functional. Lower functioning individuals were older with larger, symptomatic tumors impacting their quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Mohs surgery is a highly effective treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancers.
- Evaluating patient well-being is crucial in modern healthcare.
- Functional assessments aid in understanding older adults undergoing Mohs surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To categorize the functional status of patients 75+ undergoing Mohs surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer using the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Scale.
- To identify characteristics distinguishing lower-functioning patients.
Main Methods:
- Inclusion of patients aged 75 and older undergoing Mohs surgery across 8 diverse sites.
- Recording of patient and tumor characteristics.
- Physician scoring using the KPS scale and patient questionnaires on cancer symptom impact.
Main Results:
- 291 subjects completed the study, with an average KPS score of 90.1.
- 93.1% of subjects had a KPS score of 70 or higher.
- Lower KPS scores (<70) correlated with older age and larger, symptomatic tumors.
Conclusions:
- The majority of elderly patients undergoing Mohs surgery exhibit high functional status.
- Older age and larger, symptomatic tumors are associated with reduced functional status in this population.
