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Most nonmelanoma skin cancers treated with other modalities found appropriate for Mohs surgery

Most nonmelanoma skin cancer cases treated with Mohs microscopic surgery during a 3-month period met appropriate use criteria, while other cases that met criteria for Mohs were treated by other modalities, according to recent study results.

A collaboration of dermatology organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American College of Mohs Surgery and American Society for Mohs Surgery, released the appropriate use criteria (AUC) for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in September 2012.

Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of all nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) treated at the University of Utah dermatology department from January to March 2012. Analysis was conducted using Mohs AUC.

There were 724 patients identified (mean age, 69.2 years; 60.1% male), with 1,026 NMSC cases (54.3%, basal cell carcinomas; 45.7%, squamous cell carcinomas). Three hundred fifty NMSCs were treated with MMS, of which 96.9% were deemed appropriate, 1.1% uncertain and 2% considered inappropriate using AUC. Of the other 611 cases treated with electrodessication and curettage, excision, topical treatment or other modalities, 60.7% were considered appropriate had Mohs AUC criteria been applied.

“The rising numbers of NMSCs in the population is a major health care issue, and the use of MMS has increased to meet that demand,” the researchers wrote.

“At the [University of Utah dermatology department], there is a large percentage of NMSC that meet AUC but are treated with other modalities,” the researchers concluded. “In the future, the authors plan to assess recurrence for all cases to quantify the efficacy of the chosen treatment modality. Familiarizing dermatologists, primary care physicians and surgical subspecialties with the Mohs AUC is important for the optimal treatment of NMSCs.” – by Bruce Thiel

For more information:

American Academy of Dermatology

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

American College of Mohs Surgery

American Society for Mohs Surgery

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.