One fifth of tumors analyzed during Mohs micrographic surgery were of an aggressive subtype not detected on initial biopsy.
Most biopsy-positive tumors presented for Mohs surgery are either basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These investigators reexamined intraoperative frozen sections of 513 consecutive nonmelanoma skin cancers treated by Mohs to see if the tumor type was consistent with the initial pathologic diagnosis. They then further classified the examined tumors as aggressive or nonaggressive subtypes.
During Mohs, 21% of the cases proved to be an aggressive subtype that was not detected on initial biopsy. Thirty-five nodular BCCs were found to be infiltrative or morpheaform, 23 nodular BCCs were basosquamous carcinoma or invasive SCC, 11 in situ SCCs were invasive SCC or basosquamous carcinoma, 8 superficial BCCs were infiltrati…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardAmway
Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; Dermatologic Surgery; Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology; Lasers in Medical Science; Skin Therapy Letter
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Health Care Finance Committee); American College of Mohs Surgery (Board of Directors); American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardAmway
Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; Dermatologic Surgery; Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology; Lasers in Medical Science; Skin Therapy Letter
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Health Care Finance Committee); American College of Mohs Surgery (Board of Directors); American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (Board of Directors)