Mohs micrographic surgery: established uses and emerging trends.

Abstract

Mohs micrographic surgery is a surgical technique that seeks to ensure the clearance of cutaneous tumors while maximizing normal tissue conservation. This is accomplished through the sequential removal of thin layers of tissue in which the entire peripheral and deep margins are examined for residual tumor. This approach appears to be superior to conventional surgical excision in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the two most common cancers of the skin. Its efficacy in treating BCC and SCC has led clinicians to explore the role of Mohs micrographic surgery in the management of less common cutaneous neoplasms, such as melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, extramammary Paget's disease, and microcystic adnexal carcinoma.

• Authors: Brent E Pennington, David J Leffell
• Journal: Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) (Oncology (Williston Park)) Vol. 19 Issue 9 Pg. 1165-71; discussion 1171-2, 1175 (Aug 2005) ISSN: 0890-9091 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16255133 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adenoma (surgery)
• Carcinoma, Basal Cell (surgery)
• Carcinoma, Merkel Cell (surgery)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (surgery)
• Dermatofibrosarcoma (surgery)
• Humans
• Melanoma (surgery)
• Mohs Surgery (methods, trends)
• Paget Disease, Extramammary (surgery)
• Skin Neoplasms (surgery)