Certain Features in Prior MMS May Increase Risk of NMSC

Several key histopathologic features present on the final stage of previous Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) may be associated with recurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), according to a recent study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

Researchers aimed to identify whether histopathologic characteristics could be implicated in NMSC recurrence and to externally confirm the findings of previous studies using a larger sample size in a single-institution retrospective study of 39 recurrent basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) treated with MMS.

A total of 20 recurrent BCCs and 19 recurrent SCCs were included. Missing tissue from the epidermis, dermis, and/or subcutis; actinic keratosis; perineural inflammation; and dense inflammation were identified on the final stage of previous MMS.

“Mohs surgeons should carefully evaluate NMSC frozen sections for the presence of missing tissue, actinic keratosis, perineural inflammation, and dense inflammation as these histopathologic features may be associated with tumor recurrence,” concluded the study authors. “It is of paramount importance to acquire high quality frozen sections for thorough margin evaluation,” they added.

Reference
Agnetta V, Williamson S, Bisbee E, et al. A retrospective review of histopathologic features associated with increased risk of recurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer after Mohs micrographic surgery. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Published online January 15, 2022.