Application of Mohs micrographic surgery appropriate-use criteria to skin cancers at a university health system

Global Summit on Melanoma & Carcinoma

July 14-15, 2016 Brisbane, Australia

Mark A Russell

University of Virginia, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and various countries around the world. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is an effective treatment for skin cancer but one of many treatments that can be used. Until recently, it has been difficult to determine the percentage of skin cancers best treated with MMS. The appropriate-use criteria were developed by the American Academy of Dermatology in 2012 as a consensus of expert opinion and represent an opportunity to more accurately estimate this number. We sought to apply the appropriate-use criteria retrospectively to University of Virginia Health System skin cancers so as to determine the proportion that met appropriate use within 8 months. A list of all biopsy-proven skin cancers, excluding invasive melanoma, at the University of Virginia Health System during an 8-month period was generated. Patient and tumor data were collected retrospectively from hospital records and each skin cancer was classified as appropriate, inappropriate, or uncertain based on the appropriate-use criteria. Among 1059 skin cancers, MMS was appropriate in 72.0% of cases, inappropriate in 20.4%, and uncertain in 7.6%. Altogether, 59.3% of skin cancers occurred in H and M areas, which include the head, neck, hands, feet, ankles, genitalia, nipples/areola, and pretibial surface. These results provide insight into the potential demand for MMS at this institution but also other academic institutions.

Biography :

Email: mr2h@virginia.edu