Patient Indications for Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The purpose of the present review was to describe evidence-based indications for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in patients with a diagnosis of skin cancer. Relevant studies were identified from a systematic MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews search of studies published from 1970 to 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective comparative studies with greater than 30 patients, and single-arm retrospective studies with multivariate analyses were included. A total of 2 RCTs, 3 prospective studies, and 16 retrospective studies (14 comparative and 2 single-arm) were included. Data on recurrence rate, cure rate, complications, cosmesis, and quality of life were extracted. Surgery (with postoperative or intraoperative marginal assessment) or radiation for those who are ineligible for surgery should remain the standard of care for patients with skin cancer given the lack of high-quality, comparative evidence. MMS is recommended for those with histologically confirmed recurrent basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the face and is appropriate for primary BCCs of the face that are >1 cm, have aggressive histology, or are located on the H zone of the face. The available evidence is difficult to generalize to all patients with skin cancer because the evidence did not adequately cover non-BCC skin cancers; however, those skin cancers can be considered on a case-by-case basis for MMS. MMS should be performed by physicians who have completed a degree in medicine or equivalent, including a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Specialist Certificate or equivalent, and have received advanced training in MMS.