Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: treatment with Mohs micrographic surgery

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Feb;52(2):295-300. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2004.10.868.

Abstract

Background: Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is reported to have a high rate of recurrence with standard wide local excision.

Objective: To report a large series of patients with MAC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

Methods: This prospective, multi-center case series included all patients in Australia treated with MMS for MAC, who were monitored by the Skin and Cancer Foundation between 1993 and 2002.

Results: There were 44 cases; most of them (90.9%) were located in the head and neck area. In 31.8% of cases it was a recurrent tumor. In 32.5% of cases the tumor was initially misdiagnosed as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Perineural invasion was recorded in 17.5% of cases; most of them (85.7%) were previously recurrent tumors. There was only one case of recurrence (5%) out of 20 patients who completed a 5 year follow-up period after MMS.

Conclusion: The low 5-year recurrence rate of MAC with MMS emphasizes the importance of margin-controlled excision.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Skin Appendage / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Skin Appendage / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Skin Appendage / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Databases, Factual
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mohs Surgery* / statistics & numerical data
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome