Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of spindle cell tumors of the skin.

BACKGROUND: Because of the uncommon nature of dermal spindle cell tumors, the effectiveness of various treatment modalities is difficult to assess. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to measure the effectiveness of treating dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, atypical fibroxanthoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and leiomyosarcoma by means of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). In addition, we attempted to determine whether MMS is useful in treating dermal spindle cell tumors when no definitive histopathologic diagnosis can be rendered. METHODS: In a retrospective chart review, demographic data, tumor data, treatment characteristics, recurrence, and follow-up data were tabulated. RESULTS: The recurrence rate for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans treated by MMS was 3.0%, for atypical fibroxanthoma was 6.9%, for malignant fibrous histiocytoma was 43%, and for leiomyosarcoma was 14%. The recurrence rate for spindle cell tumors not otherwise specified was 0%. CONCLUSION: These data establish the effectiveness of MMS in the treatment of dermal spindle cell tumors, including those for which no definitive histopathologic diagnosis can be rendered.

Undermining in cutaneous surgery.

BACKGROUND: Benefits, risks, and technical aspects of undermining in cutaneous surgery are presented and reviewed in order to facilitate the execution of this fundamental task of cutaneous surgery. METHODS: The authors' extensive experience with thousands of cutaneous reconstructions and literature consultation form the basis of this review. RESULTS: Literature review and practical experience indicate that undermining reduces wound closing tension. Pertinent anatomic considerations, benefits, risks, as well as sharp and blunt undermining techniques and regional undermining recommendations are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that judicious undermining, properly performed by surgeons knowledgeable of cutaneous anatomy facilitates the execution and enhances cosmesis in cutaneous reconstruction. It is the authors' opinion that sharp undermining technique is the optimal method for most cutaneous reconstructions.

Overview of skin cancer detection and prevention for the primary care physician.

The incidence of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer is increasing, and an accurate and timely diagnosis is important to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these malignancies. Clinical features and examination techniques are discussed, and the need to recognize important secondary tumor characteristics, which supplement the primary diagnosis, is reviewed. Recent evidence on etiologic factors and their importance are addressed to highlight the role of primary prevention. Pediatricians, family physicians, and all primary care physicians are encouraged to promote skin cancer awareness among children and their parents.

A single postoperative application of nitroglycerin ointment does not increase survival of cutaneous flaps and grafts.

BACKGROUND: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that has been reported to improve cutaneous flap and graft survival. It has not been tested in controlled studies. OBJECTIVE: We designed our study to test the effectiveness of a single postoperative application of nitroglycerin on flap and graft survival. METHODS: Eighty-eight surgical repairs received topical nitroglycerin and 85 received control ointment (polysporin). Treatment sites were evaluated on postoperative day 7 and assigned a percentage of surface area survival. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the complication rate of flaps and grafts treated with nitroglycerin (12.5%) compared with those treated with control ointment (8.4%) (P = .244). Subset analysis of flaps as a group and grafts as a group were not meaningful because the complication rates were so low. CONCLUSION: There is no survival increase of flaps and grafts treated with a single application of nitroglycerin ointment.

Linear basal cell carcinoma: report of seventeen cases and review of the presentation and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Linear basal cell carcinoma was first described as a distinct clinical morphologic variant in 1985. Subsequently, twelve cases were reported. OBJECTIVE: To review and identify cases of linear basal cell carcinoma in our institutions and determine optimal treatment based on review of our cases and those in the literature. METHODS: Primary basal cell carcinomas treated at the three campuses of Mayo Clinic and the University of Montreal were reviewed retrospectively, as were the twelve cases in the literature. RESULTS: Seventeen cases of linear basal cell carcinoma were identified. The age and sex ratios were similar to those of patients with standard basal cell carcinomas. Based on the review of the few reported cases of linear basal cell carcinoma (29), the percentage of aggressive histologic subtypes (38%) was increased compared with that in a general population. The average number of Mohs layers required for treatment was higher than that reported for standard basal cell carcinoma, an indication of increased subclinical spread. CONCLUSION: Linear basal cell carcinoma is an uncommonly recognized morphologic variant. Based on the small number of cases, these tumors have more aggressive histologic subtypes. Because of the possibility for increased subclinical spread, Mohs micrographic surgery can be considered for treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Reinnervation of flaps and grafts of the face.

BACKGROUND: The degree to which disruption of sensory innervation is affected by flaps and grafts on the face has not been explored. The decision to choose a flap or a graft for reconstruction may affect future sensation at the surgical site. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical recovery of sensory innervation after facial reconstructive surgery with flaps and grafts and to offer clinical guidelines on the recovery of sensation in reconstructed sites involving flaps and grafts of the face. METHODS: Seventy patients who underwent Mohs surgery and subsequent repair by either a flap or a graft were evaluated at different postoperative intervals. Fifty patients underwent flap reconstruction and 20 patients underwent graft reconstruction. Three principal modes of sensation were objectively assessed: light touch, temperature, and pinprick. RESULTS: Median time of evaluation after surgery was 11 months. The most common locations tested were the nose (36 patients) and the forehead (9 patients). Postoperative evaluation showed that flap sensation recovery to light touch was present in 10% of patients before 3 months, 41% of patients from 3 to 12 months, 27% of patients from 1 to 2 years, and 75% of patients after 2 years. Graft sensation recovery to light touch was present in no patients evaluated less than 2 years after surgery and in 29% of patients evaluated more than 2 years after surgery. After adjustments for postoperative size and interval, patients with flaps were more likely than those with grafts to have touch sensation at the time of testing (adjusted odds ratio, 8.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-74.62; P = .04), to be able to distinguish between warm and cold (adjusted odds ratio, 3.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-15.16; P = .04), and to be able to distinguish between sharp and dull (adjusted odds ratio, 27.31; 95% confidence interval, 2.20-339.71; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Predictable factors are associated with sensation recovery in patients with flaps and grafts. The recovery of sensory innervation after surgery is earlier with flaps than with grafts. Our data provide clinicians with guidelines for recovery of sensation that ultimately will reassure the patient.

Merkel cell carcinoma. Comparison of Mohs micrographic surgery and wide excision in eighty-six patients.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon malignant tumor of the skin that, after standard surgical excision, tends to recur locally and develop regional nodal spread. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the use of Mohs micrographic surgery for this aggressive neoplasm. METHODS: A retrospective study of 86 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma established rates of local persistence and the development of regional metastasis after standard surgical excision. Detailed follow-up was available on a subgroup of 13 patients treated with Mohs surgery. RESULTS: Standard surgical excision for local disease was associated with high rates of local persistence (13 of 41 [31.7%]) and regional metastasis (20 of 41 [48.8%]). Mean follow-up was 60 months. Mean follow-up for the group treated with Mohs was 36 months. Only one of 12 (8.3%) Mohs-treated patients with histologically confirmed clearance has had local persistence of disease. This patient underwent a second Mohs excision and has remained disease free for 84 months. Regional metastasis developed in four of 12 cases (33.3%). Regional metastasis developed in none of the four patients treated with radiotherapy after Mohs surgery and in four of eight patients treated with Mohs surgery without postoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Mohs surgery compares favorably with standard surgical excision. Radiotherapy after Mohs surgery may further reduce persistent metastases in transit and nodal disease.

The life of a skin cancer.

The mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis are becoming better elucidated. The recent literature pertaining to the current understanding of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis was reviewed, and some of the basic information that is known about these processes and how they relate to the development of cutaneous cancers is presented in this article. The development of a skin cancer consists of a three-step process of carcinogenesis-initiation, promotion, and progression. When metastasis occurs, a six-step process of complex cellular adaptations enables the tumor cell to metastasize and proliferate successfully. The mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis are pertinent not only to dermatologists and physicians who treat skin cancer but also to any physician who must manage human malignant tumors. Therefore, a general background of information on this subject is an important aspect of medical knowledge for most physicians.

Thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the skin: a cutaneous manifestation of a widely disseminated malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous metastases develop in 2% to 9% of patients with an internal malignancy. Thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the skin is a rare clinical entity. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study the clinical and pathologic features and outcome in patients with cutaneous metastasis from thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: The study included a retrospective analysis of six patients with skin metastases from thyroid carcinoma and a review of the English-language literature since 1964. RESULTS: Including our six patients, 43 patients with skin metastases from thyroid carcinoma have been reported. Papillary carcinoma was the most common (41%), followed by follicular (28%), anaplastic (15%), and medullary carcinomas (15%). The scalp was the most common site of metastasis. For our patients, the average length of survival after diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis was 19 months. CONCLUSION: Cutaneous metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is rare and occurs in the setting of disseminated neoplastic disease.

A comparison of Mohs micrographic surgery and wide excision for the treatment of atypical fibroxanthoma.

BACKGROUND: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is an uncommon spindle cell neoplasm occurring most often in actinically damaged skin of elderly patients. This tumor has invasive potential, may recur locally after excision, and rarely metastasizes. To conserve tissue and improve the likelihood of cure, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been used for treatment. OBJECTIVE: We review and discuss the Mayo Clinic experience treating AFX with MMS and retrospectively compare the clinical outcome with that in a similar cohort of patients treated with wide local excision (WE). METHODS: The medical records of 45 patients were reviewed at three Mayo Clinic practices. Follow-up data were available for 44 patients: 19 treated with MMS and 25 with WE. RESULTS: In patients treated with MMS, there were no recurrences after a mean follow-up of 29.6 months. There were three first recurrences in 25 patients (12%) treated with WE after a mean follow-up of 73.6 months. One patient had a single local recurrence, and two patients each had two local recurrences. Parotid node metastasis eventually developed in one of the patients with two local recurrences, so that the regional metastatic rate in this series was 4% (1 in 25 patients). CONCLUSION: Microscopic control of the surgical margins with MMS in the treatment of AFX results in a lower recurrence rate than that with WE and conserves normal tissue.

The use of perichondrial cutaneous grafts to repair defects of the lower third of the nose.

The reconstruction of surgical defects on the nasal tip and nasal ala which require both skin coverage and underlying support is often a complex surgical problem. The perichondrial cutaneous graft (PCCG) is a composite graft of skin and perichondrium harvested from the conchal bowl of the car. It is an excellent alternative to full-thickness skin grafts and local flaps for reconstructing defects of the lower third of the nose. This composite graft, which is composed of epidermis, dermis, a small amount of subcutaneous tissue, and the underlying perichondrium, yields excellent cosmetic and functional results in a simple, single-stage, out-patient procedure. This article describes and illustrates the repair of surgical defects on the nasal tip and nasal ala using the PCCG.

Metastasis. A primer for dermatologists.

BACKGROUND: Dermatologists often diagnose, treat, and manage patients who have cutaneous tumors that are potentially metastatic. While the fund of knowledge regarding metastasis is still quite incomplete, more and more is becoming understood about the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis. OBJECTIVE: To present in understandable terms what is known about carcinogenesis and metastasis and how this information can and should affect the clinician's approach to diagnosis, management, and follow-up of potentially metastatic cutaneous disease. METHODS: The recent literature pertaining to the current understanding of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis are assimilated and reviewed. RESULTS: Carcinogenesis is fundamentally a three-step process comprised of initiation, promotion, and progression. One of the most dramatic results of progression is metastasis. Metastasis is the result of a complex set of cellular adaptations that enable the tumor cell to be able to separate from the primary tumor, invade, intravasate, circulate, implant at a distant site, extravasate, and lastly proliferate. CONCLUSION: A fundamental understanding of the mechanism of carcinogenesis and metastasis is important to the clinical dermatologist. Understanding these principles can affect the way in which the practitioner teaches and institutes preventative measures. It may also influence diagnostic and therapeutic approaches as well as subsequent management and follow-up of potentially metastatic or metastatic disease. There is little doubt that the best care for a patient with skin cancer can be given by the physician who knows the most about the integument. This behooves dermatologists to remain well informed about the present understanding of the development and progression of cancer.

The epidemiology of skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of skin cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. OBJECTIVE: To discuss current epidemiologic data concerning the incidence, morbidity, environmental influences, predisposing, host conditions, precursor lesions, and prevention of melanoma and nonmelanoma (basal and squamous cell) skin cancer. METHODS: The current literature was reviewed in order to provide current epidemiologic data for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). RESULTS: Skin cancer is exceedingly common and the incidence is rising rapidly. Although the mortality rate for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is decreasing, that of melanoma is increasing. Both NMSC and melanoma are associated with significant morbidity. Whereas chronic sun exposure is the main cause of NMSC, the development of melanoma appears to be related to intense, intermittent sun exposure. Ozone depletion has contributed to rising incidence rates of both NMSC and melanoma. In contrast to NMSC, there is not a direct relationship between ultraviolet radiation and melanoma. Genetic susceptibility significantly increases the lifetime risk of acquiring melanoma. There is no precursor lesion for BCC. Precursor lesions for invasive SCC include actinic keratoses and SCC in situ. Melanoma may arise from benign nevi and dysplastic nevi. Prevention of melanoma and NMSC is extremely important since prognosis improves with early detection. Prevention may be achieved by educating patients and physicians how to detect skin cancers early and by decreasing or eliminating exposure to ultraviolet light. CONCLUSION: The incidence of skin cancer has reached epidemic proportions. Only through heroic efforts by health care professionals and the general public to prevent the development or progression of skin cancer will this epidemic be abated.