Hidradenocarcinoma: A Case Series From the Scripps Clinic With a Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenocarcinoma (HAC) is a rare adnexal carcinoma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are no published systematic reviews on HAC. OBJECTIVE: To incorporate a case series from the authors' institution and systematically integrate reported information to provide a reference tool for optimization of diagnosis and management. METHODS: A comprehensive MEDLINE search was conducted from database inception to 2021 using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. This yielded 225 studies with 165 cases of HAC. References of included articles were also searched. In addition, 9 patients with HAC were identified from the authors' institution over the past 10 years. RESULTS: The mean age of HAC presentation is 60 years with a slight male predilection (60%). The head and neck is the most commonly affected region. Over 36% of cases either presented with metastatic disease or went on to metastasize. The most common treatment type was wide local excision, followed by Mohs micrographic surgery. CONCLUSION: Early detection with accurate histologic interpretation is prudent in all cases of HAC. Wide local excision is the current first-line treatment. However, Mohs micrographic surgery offers complete marginal analysis with evidence of reduced risk of metastasis and better outcomes compared with wide local excision. Currently, there are no National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the treatment of HAC, and consensus guidelines are limited to tumor and nodal metastasis staging provided by the American Joint Committee on Cancer, eighth edition. Thus, this case series and systematic review integrates important aspects of diagnosis, workup, and management of HAC.

Anatomic Location Influences Duration of Local Lidocaine Anesthesia in Dermatologic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although the onset and duration of local anesthetics are well-defined, how the anatomic site influences the duration of local anesthetics has not been well characterized in dermatology. OBJECTIVE: To define the duration of local anesthesia by anatomic site. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study. Adult healthy volunteers and patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery were invited to participate. The nose and the shin were chosen to represent highly and poorly vascularized anatomic sites, respectively. A total of 0.5 mL of buffered 1% lidocaine hydrochloride with 1:100,000 epinephrine was injected subcutaneously into each anatomic site of each participant. A pinprick test was used to assess adequate anesthesia until return of baseline sensation or visit completion. RESULTS: This study enrolled 25 participants. Time to return of sensation was significantly shorter on the nose compared with the shin ( p < .0001). On the nose, there was an association between male sex and shorter time to return of sensation. CONCLUSION: Time to return of sensation is significantly shorter on the nasal ala compared with the shin, suggesting that patients may regain sensation sooner on highly vascularized sites. Defining the duration of local anesthetics based on anatomic regions is important for treatment planning in dermatologic procedures.

Slice by slice: An Australian state-by-state analysis of Mohs micrographic surgery over 5 years.

BACKGROUND: In November 2018, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) was restricted to fellows registered with the Australasian College of Dermatologists. Three new item numbers for the provision of MMS were also introduced. We examine the national and state usage of MMS item numbers based on Medicare claim statistics and Mohs surgeons' self-reported data, noting the impact of the pandemic and the usage of individual item numbers. METHODS: Medicare item number data were obtained from the Medicare Benefits Schedule website for January 2017-December 2021. Self-reported data were collected on an annual basis by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) as part of the Quality Assurance Program (QAP) from 2019 onwards. Data were analysed with the Holt-Winters smoothing method for forecasting. RESULTS: An increasing number of MMS claims were processed each year, with a total of 89,183 for the study period. Since November 2018, 97.7% of procedures have been conducted on the head, neck, genitalia, hand, digits, leg (below the knee) or foot. The provision of services across the country was maintained during the pandemic years of 2020-2021, with an increase in services in Queensland. There were discrepancies between the states for procedures performed in greater than six sections; these constituted more than 35% of claims in Queensland and Western Australia compared to less than 15% in other states. The pandemic impacted certain states more than others, with Victoria and the Northern Territory having significantly fewer presentations than predicted (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the use of MMS in Australia is in keeping with peer-developed guidelines, despite discrepancies between states. Although certain states were more severely affected by the pandemic, MMS is increasingly used in Australia.

Overall Survival After Mohs Surgery for Early-Stage Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Importance: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous malignant neoplasm with increasing incidence and high mortality. Although it is accepted that the optimal treatment for localized tumors is surgical, the data surrounding the optimal surgical approach are mixed, and current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines state that Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and wide local excision (WLE) can both be used. The current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines do not advocate a preference for MMS or WLE and suggest that they can be used interchangeably. Objective: To evaluate the association of surgical approach with overall survival after excision of localized T1/T2 MCC. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used the National Cancer Database to assess adults with T1/T2 MCC who were diagnosed between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2018, with pathologically confirmed, negative regional lymph nodes and treated with surgery. The National Cancer Database includes all reportable cases from Commission on Cancer-accredited facilities. Data analysis was performed from October 2022 to May 2023. Exposure: Surgical approach. Main Outcomes and Measures: Overall survival. Results: A total of 2313 patients (mean [SD] age, 71 [10.6] years; 1340 [57.9%] male) were included in the study. Excision with MMS had the best unadjusted survival, with mean (SE) survival rates of 87.4% (3.4%) at 3 years, 84.5% (3.9%) at 5 years, and 81.8% (4.6%) at 10 years vs 86.1% (0.9%) at 3 years, 76.9% (1.2%) at 5 years, and 60.9% (2.0%) at 10 years for patients treated with WLE. Patients treated with narrow-margin excision had similar survival as those treated with WLE, with mean (SE) survival rates of 84.8% (1.4%) at 3 years, 78.3% (1.7%) at 5 years, and 60.8% (3.6%) at 10 years. On multivariable survival analysis, excision with MMS was associated with significantly improved survival compared with WLE (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.97; P = .04). High-volume MCC centers were significantly more likely to use MMS over WLE compared with other centers (odds ratio, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.63-2.44; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, the use of MMS (compared with WLE) was associated with significantly improved survival for patients with localized MCC with pathologically confirmed negative lymph nodes treated with surgery. These data suggest that Mohs surgery may provide a more effective treatment for MCC primary tumors than conventional WLE, although the lack of randomization and potential for selection bias in this study highlight the need for future prospective work evaluating this issue.

Validation of the 2022 National Comprehensive Cancer Network Risk Stratification for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Importance: The 2022 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) reclassified cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) into low-, high-, and very high-risk groups to better risk stratify tumors. Mohs micrographic surgery (Mohs) or peripheral and deep en face margin assessment (PDEMA) became preferred surgical modalities for high- and very high-risk tumors. This new risk stratification and the recommendation for Mohs or PDEMA in high- and very high-risk groups have not been validated. Objective: To compare outcomes in very high-, high-, and low-risk NCCN groups of CSCCs and in CSCCs treated with Mohs or PDEMA compared with wide local excision (WLE). Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study of CSCCs was performed in 2 tertiary care academic medical centers. Patients 18 years or older and diagnosed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2019, at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Foundation were included. Data were analyzed from October 20, 2021, to March 29, 2023. Exposures: NCCN risk group, Mohs or PDEMA, and WLE. Main Outcomes and Measures: Local recurrence (LR), nodal metastasis (NM), distant metastasis (DM), and disease-specific death (DSD). Results: A total of 10 196 tumors from 8727 patients were stratified by NCCN guidelines into low-, high-, and very high-risk groups (6003 [59.0%] men; mean [SD] age, 72.4 [11.8] years). Compared with the low-risk group, the high- and very high-risk groups demonstrated a greater risk of LR (high-risk subhazard ratio [SHR], 1.99 [95% CI, 1.21-3.27; P = .007]; very high-risk SHR, 12.66 [95% CI, 7.86-20.39; P < .001]), NM (high-risk SHR, 4.26 [95% CI, 1.28-14.23; P = .02]; very high-risk SHR, 62.98 [95% CI, 19.24-206.17; P < .001]), DM (high-risk SHR, 2.2 × 107 [95% CI, 4.7 × 103-1.1 × 1011; P < .001]; very high-risk SHR, 6.3 × 108 [95% CI, 1.4 × 105-2.9 × 1012; P < .001]), and DSD (high-risk SHR, 4.02 [95% CI, 1.18-13.71; P = .03]; very high-risk SHR, 93.87 [95% CI, 29.19-301.85; P < .001]). Adjusted 5-year cumulative incidence was significantly higher in very high- vs high- and low-risk groups for LR (9.4% [95% CI, 9.2%-14.0%] vs 1.5% [95% CI, 1.4%-2.1%] and 0.8% [95% CI, 0.5%-1.2%], respectively), NM (7.3% [95% CI, 6.8%-10.9%] vs 0.5% [95% CI, 0.4%-0.8%] and 0.1% [95% CI, 0.03%-0.3%], respectively), DM (3.9% [95% CI, 2.6%-5.6%] vs 0.1% [95% CI, 0.04%-0.2%] and 0.01% [95% CI, not applicable], respectively), and DSD (10.5% [95% CI, 10.3%-15.4%] vs 0.5% [95% CI, 0.4%-0.8%] and 0.1% [95% CI, 0.04%-0.3%], respectively). Compared with CSCCs treated with WLE, those treated with Mohs or PDEMA had lower risk of LR (SHR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.46-0.90]; P = .009), DM (SHR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.18-0.83]; P = .02), and DSD (SHR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.36-0.84]; P = .006). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cohort study suggest that the NCCN high- and very high-risk groups identify CSCCs at greatest risk for developing poor outcomes. Further, Mohs or PDEMA resulted in lower LR, DM, and DSD compared with WLE.

Understanding melanoma in situ: Lentigo maligna surgical treatment terminology and guideline adherence, a targeted review.

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma in-situ, lentigo maligna (MMIS-LM) can be successfully treated with several different surgical techniques; however, the literature is inconsistent in defining them. OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively define and describe the national guideline recommended surgical techniques used to treat MMIS-LM to help clarify and standardize this terminology to ensure compliance with the guidelines. METHODS: A targeted literature review was performed from 1990 to 2022 focusing on articles that discussed the national guideline recommended surgical techniques of wide local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), modified Mohs surgery, and staged excision/Slow-Mohs for MMIS-LM, as well as the related methods of tissue processing. National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Academy of Dermatology guidelines were reviewed to identify how the techniques need to be employed to be compliant with guideline recommendations. RESULTS: We describe the various surgical and tissue processing techniques and discuss advantages and disadvantages of each. LIMITATIONS: This paper was styled as a narrative review defining and clarifying terminology and technique and does not investigate these topics more broadly. CONCLUSION: Understanding the methodology and terminology for these surgical procedures and tissue processing methods is critical so that both general dermatologists and surgeons can employ these techniques effectively for optimal patient care.

Surgical management of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon, locally aggressive cutaneous malignancy. Complete resection is the primary treatment but there is debate over the optimal method. Wide local excision was traditionally the standard of care; however, National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines now recommend Mohs micrographic surgery as the preferred approach. Medical therapy with imatinib can be used in advanced or unresectable disease. This review will discuss the current management of DFSP, focusing on optimal surgical approach.

Comparison of Work Relative Value Units for Outpatient Pediatric and Adult Dermatology Encounters.

Importance: Dermatologists with specialty training in pediatric dermatology are scarce, which can mean extended wait times and reduced access to care for patients. Lower compensation for pediatric dermatology visits compared with adult visits may affect physician career choice and contribute to workforce shortages. Objective: To evaluate differences in work relative value units (wRVUs) generated by pediatric and adult outpatient dermatology encounters. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from outpatient dermatology encounters at a single-site academic center in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 1, 2016, to March 31, 2020. Encounters with patients younger than 18 years were classified as pediatric, and encounters with those 18 years or older were classified as adult. Encounters with missing data were excluded as were those generating 0 wRVUs, inpatient visits, nursing visits, postoperative encounters, cosmetic procedures, phototherapy visits, and Mohs surgery encounters. Main Outcomes and Measures: Work relative value units generated per encounter type were assessed through multivariable linear regression models adjusted for the potential confounder of sex. Results: The study included 12 989 pediatric dermatology encounters (mean [SD] age, 7.3 [5.2] years; 7586 [58.4%] girls) and 78 057 adult dermatology encounters (mean [SD] age, 54.9 [18.9] years; 45 724 [58.6%] women). Pediatric encounters were associated with 0.23 (95% CI, 0.21-0.25; P < .001) fewer wRVUs than adult encounters after adjusting for sex. In a mediation analysis, biopsies and destruction of premalignant lesions explained 74.1% (95% CI, 69.6%-77.9%; P < .001) of the wRVU difference between pediatric and adult encounters. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study found significant differences in wRVUs generated between adult and pediatric dermatology encounters that were largely attributable to biopsies and destruction of premalignant lesions. Policies that increase the value of cognitive services to be on par with procedural care may mitigate wRVU differences and improve reimbursement for pediatric dermatologists.

Squamous cell carcinoma: 2021 updated review of treatment.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common cutaneous malignancy, requiring early diagnosis to prevent metastasis. Updated guidelines in the definition of clinical features, diagnostic modalities, grading, staging, surgical, and nonsurgical treatment methods are necessary. Diagnostic methods from biopsy, dermoscopy, and reflectance confocal microscopy have improved to include high-frequency ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, and computed tomography. Non-surgical treatment methods include topical therapy, cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, and radiation. Surgical treatment methods include surgical excision with margins and Mohs surgery. Clinical trials encourage further research to address the knowledge base of genetic variations and lymph node metastasis.

Compliance with sentinel lymph node biopsy guidelines for invasive melanomas treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has not been studied for invasive melanomas treated with Mohs micrographic surgery using frozen-section MART-1 immunohistochemical stains (MMS-IHC). The primary objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for SLNB in a cohort of patients who had invasive melanoma treated with MMS-IHC. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who had primary, invasive, cutaneous melanomas treated with MMS-IHC at a single academic center between March 2006 and April 2018. The primary outcomes were the rates of documenting discussion and performing SLNB in patients who were eligible based on NCCN guidelines. Secondary outcomes were the rate of identifying the sentinel lymph node and the percentage of positive lymph nodes. RESULTS: In total, 667 primary, invasive, cutaneous melanomas (American Joint Committee on Cancer T1a-T4b) were treated with MMS-IHC. The median patient age was 69 years (range, 25-101 years). Ninety-two percent of tumors were located on specialty sites (head and/or neck, hands and/or feet, pretibial leg). Discussion of SLNB was documented for 162 of 176 (92%) SLNB-eligible patients, including 127 of 127 (100%) who had melanomas with a Breslow depth >1 mm. SLNB was performed in 109 of 176 (62%) SLNB-eligible patients, including 102 of 158 melanomas (65%) that met NCCN criteria to discuss and offer SLNB and 7 of 18 melanomas (39%) that met criteria to discuss and consider SLNB. The sentinel lymph node was successfully identified in 98 of 109 patients (90%) and was positive in 6 of those 98 patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Combining SLNB and MMS-IHC allows full pathologic staging and confirmation of clear microscopic margins before reconstruction of specialty site invasive melanomas. SLNB can be performed accurately and in compliance with consensus guidelines in patients with melanoma using MMS-IHC.

New Developments in the Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. List important prognostic features that affect cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma risk. 2. Summarize the changes to the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, Eighth Edition, staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. 3. Evaluate the draining nodal basin with appropriate imaging modalities. 4. Recommend adjuvant radiation therapy in the correct clinical setting for high-risk tumors. 5. Recognize the currently available treatments for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. SUMMARY: This continuing medical education article reviews the features, management, and prognosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with an emphasis on high-risk squamous cell carcinoma and data from the past 3 years. This review will discuss the primary tumor management, high-risk features of a squamous cell carcinoma, changes to the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system, and the utility of sentinel lymph node biopsy, and critically review the evidence regarding adjuvant therapy.

Risk of adverse events due to high volumes of local anesthesia during Mohs micrographic surgery.

General guidelines for the maximum amounts of locally injected lidocaine exist; however, there is a paucity of data in the Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) literature. This study aimed to determine the safety and adverse effects seen in patients that receive larger amounts of locally injected lidocaine. A retrospective chart review of 563 patients from 1992 to 2016 who received over 30 mL of locally injected lidocaine was conducted. Patient records were reviewed within seven postoperative days for complications. The average amount of anesthesia received was 40 mL, and the average patient weight was 86.69 kg. 1.4% of patients had a complication on the day of surgery, and 4.4% of patients had a complication within 7 days of the surgery. The most common complications were excessive bleeding/hematoma formation and wound infection. Only two complications could be attributable to local anesthetics. Gender, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking were not significant risk factors for the development of complications. MMS is a safe outpatient procedure for patients that require over 30 mL of locally injected anesthesia. The safety of high volumes of lidocaine extends to patients with risk factors such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.

Tissue-Sparing Outcome of Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Squamous Cell Carcinomas. / Ahorro de tejido tras la cirugía micrográfica de Mohs en los carcinomas de células escamosas.

BACKGROUND: Micrographic Mohs Surgery (MMS) offers the highest cure rates and healthy skin tissue sparing effect compared with standard excision. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the tissue-sparing properties of MMS in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in comparison with standard excision (SE). METHODS: A bidirectional, descriptive study, including 94 cases of SCC, was performed, on patients with histologic diagnosis of SCC (in situ, well differentiated, moderately differentiated, and undifferentiated), that where operated with MMS between 2013 and 2018 at Hospital de Clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela in Montevideo, Uruguay. Tumor size and defect area after MMS were measured in 2 perpendicular directions. The suspected defect area was calculated with standard excision using a 4-mm margin for low risk lesions and a 10-mm margin for high risk lesions. The primary outcome of this study was the size of the defect area post MMS compared with the calculated defect area with standard excision. RESULTS: The median tumor size was 1,41mm2, and the median defect size after MMS was 4,12mm2. The median defect size calculated for standard surgical excision was 8,36mm2. LIMITATIONS: We do not use all National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria. We define low and high risk lesions just taking into account anatomical location, size, histopathology and whether it was a primary or recurrent tumor. CONCLUSION: Our results show that MMS has a tissue-sparing effect of at least 52% compared to SE.

Topical Fluorouracil Therapy for Residual Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

When treating invasive basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), including infiltrative and nodular subtypes, the goal is complete surgical removal of the tumor. In some cases, after several stages of MMS, residual foci of superficial BCC are noted with no dermal invasive components apparent. Some patients and surgeons have opted for halting surgery and treating residual superficial BCC with adjuvant topical fluorouracil. In this retrospective study, this treatment method is shown to be effective with a recurrence rate of BCC of 3.7% over a mean follow up of 28 months. This treatment method reduces the number of stages of MMS as the surgery is stopped was invasive BCC is removed. This can be beneficial when considering the morbidity of prolonged surgical procedures in frail, elderly patients experiencing surgical fatigue, the cost of additional stages, and the cost of advanced repairs due to enlarging defect size. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(5): doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.4811.