Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2020 Dec 22;8(12):e3300.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003300. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Treatment of Non-melanoma Skin Cancers in the Absence of Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Andrew M Ferry  1   2 , Shayan M Sarrami  1   2 , Pierce C Hollier  1   2 , Caitlin F Gerich  3 , James F Thornton  4
Affiliations
Review

Treatment of Non-melanoma Skin Cancers in the Absence of Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Andrew M Ferry et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common malignancies globally. Although non-melanoma skin cancers exhibit low metastatic potential, they can be locally destructive, necessitating complex excisions and reconstructions. Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold-standard treatment for high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers in patients who are appropriate surgical candidates. Despite its efficacy, Mohs micrographic surgery is not readily available in most geographic regions, necessitating that plastic surgeons be well-versed in alternative treatment modalities for non-melanoma skin cancer. Herein, we will discuss the management of non-melanoma skin cancers in settings where Mohs micrographic surgery is not readily available.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. This study did not receive any support.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers of the face.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Proper labeling of skin specimens. Skin specimens (including the outer layers of the skin) may be marked for orientation using a single suture at the 12 o’clock position (A). In contrast, deep specimens require a 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock suture so that the pathologist may identify the anterior aspect of the sample (B).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Patient with a post-excisional defect involving the entire vermillion of the lower lip (A). Application of biologic acellular dermal matrix (B). Patient 3 months postoperatively (C).
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Patient with a large, circumferential defect of the infraorbital cheek following excision of her malignancy (A). The defect was reconstructed utilizing a cervicofacial flap (B). Patient 3 weeks postoperatively without signs of ectropion or lip retraction (C). Patient 1 year postoperatively with minimal scarring (D).
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Patient with a full-thickness defect of the nasal ala following excision of a nonmelanoma skin cancer (A). Inset of the paramedian forehead flap into the alar defect (B). Patient 3 weeks post-operatively following inset of the flap (C). Patient 3 months postoperatively following flap division and inset (D).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Feldman SR, Coldiron BM. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer (keratinocyte carcinomas) in the US population, 2012. JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151:1081–1086. - PubMed
    1. Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283–287. - PubMed
    1. Muzic JG, Schmitt AR, Wright AC, et al. Incidence and trends of basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 2000 to 2010. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92:890–898. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Miller DL, Weinstock MA. Nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States: incidence. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994;30(5 Pt 1):774–778. - PubMed
    1. Karia PS, Han J, Schmults CD. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: Estimated incidence of disease, nodal metastasis, and deaths from disease in the United States, 2012. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:957–966. - PubMed