This is a case of a 74-year-old female who previously worked as a Metro Manila Aide and presented with a solitary erythematous, well-demarcated mass with hyperkeratosis on the right zygomatic area. It started as a pea-sized erythematous papule three years prior without associated symptoms. The patient self-medicated with Ketoconazole + Clobetasol Propionate cream for five months without improvement. Two months before consultation, the lesion enlarged and developed yellow hyperkeratotic crusts. A biopsy revealed invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Complete excision with adequate margins was recommended. The patient underwent Mohs Micrographic Surgery and reconstruction with a rotational flap repair. Histopathology of the excised tissue confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. No tumor necrosis or lymphovascular invasion was identified, and all resection margins were clear. Post-surgical management included wound care and medications. The case emphasizes early intervention and histopathological evaluation in managing growths especially in cases where patients have not consulted and self medicated instead.

BACKGROUND

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the preferred surgical procedure for non melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), especially in areas where function and cosmesis are critical. It allows precise removal of the tumor while preserving normal skin tissue.

This study aimed to describe the clinicohistopathologic profile of patients who underwent MMS at the Dermatology Center of the St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines (SLMC-QC) from March 2003 to March 2023.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing a 20-year chart review on all patients who underwent MMS at SLMC-QC from March 2003 to March 2023. Data collected were the following: age, sex, race, clinicopathologic diagnosis, tumor site, pre-operative and post-operative area size, number of MMS stages, type of repair performed, and recurrence, if any.

In 20 years, there were a total of 684 cases done in the Dermatology Center SLMC-QC, and 573 cases with complete data were included. Eighty six percent of patients were over 50 years old. There was a slight male predominance, and most patients were Asians, followed by Caucasians. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common diagnosis followed by squamous cell carcinoma and Bowen’s disease. Majority of the tumors were located on the head and neck. The postoperative defect increased by 2-to-3-fold from the preoperative tumor size in most cases. Most tumors were cleared in 2 stages. The most common type of repair done was flaps, followed by full-thickness skin grafts and primary closures. All primary tumors treated in the center have not recurred within 5 years, bringing the cure rate to 100%.

The clinicohistopathologic profiles of patients in this study are similar to those reported in the literature. No recurrence has been reported in the center and this reflects the effectivity of MMS.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant neoplasm of glands commonly occurs in salivary glands. Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma (PCACC) is a rare form of ACC that primarily presents on the skin. Herein, we represent a rare case of PCACC occurred in the umbilicus in a 66-year-old Korean male patient. The patient visited our center with erythematous indurated patch on the umbilicus diagnosed as ACC by incisional biopsy at another center. The diagnosis of PCACC was confirmed by additional histopathologic examination and imaging study. We proceeded Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstructed umbilicus with tacked purse string suture. Local recurrence and distant metastasis were not observed during 30-month follow-up. We report this rare case of PCACC on the umbilicus so that dermatologist can aware of the rare disease. Furthermore, we recommend MMS and tacked purse string suture as effective methods for treatment of PCACC and immediate umbilical reconstruction.
Adenoids ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mohs Surgery ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rare Diseases ; Recurrence ; Salivary Glands ; Skin ; Sutures ; Umbilicus

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine malignancy affecting the skin, for which timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential. MCC has most often been reported in Caucasians, and case reports in Asians are rare. This study presents our experiences with the surgical treatment and radiotherapy of MCC in Asian patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven MCC patients between 2000 and 2018 from a single institution, and analyzed patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, surgical treatment, sentinel lymph node evaluation, reconstruction, adjuvant radiation therapy, and prognosis. RESULTS: Eight MCC lesions occurred in seven patients, most commonly in the head and neck region. All patients underwent surgical excision with reconstruction. The final surgical margin was 1.0 cm in most cases, and reconstruction was most commonly performed with a split-thickness skin graft. Five patients received adjuvant radiotherapy, and two patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy. During the follow-up period, three patients remained well, two died from other causes, one experienced recurrence, and one was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We treated seven Asian MCC patients and our series confirmed that MCC is a very dangerous cancer in Asians as well. Based on our experiences, thorough surgical excision of MCC with histopathological clearance should be considered, with sentinel lymph node evaluation if necessary, followed by appropriate reconstruction and careful postoperative observation. Adjuvant radiation therapy is also recommended for all Asian MCC patients. The results of this case series may provide guidance for the treatment of Asian MCC patients in the future.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Lymph Nodes ; Mohs Surgery ; Neck ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Skin ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Mohs Surgery* ; Sutures*

Complete removal is most important in treating the malignant tumor from the auricle, but the cosmetic and reconstructive plan after removal should also be considered because auricular appearance contributes enormously to the facial aesthetics. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), which is commonly used in dermatology, is considered as minimal marginal surgery that offers superior cure rates in the treatment of facial skin cancer. Therefore, MMS could provide a minimally invasive way to manage the malignant tumor of the auricle. This article reports that basosquamous cell carcinoma arising in the auricle was treated with wide resection combined with MMS. Conclusively, we could accomplish the surgical purpose of both completely removing the tumor and maintaining the auricular aesthetic shape by additionally introducing MMS in the treatment.
Dermatology ; Esthetics ; Mohs Surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a slow growing low-grade cutaneous sarcoma. Local recurrence after excision is common due to the poorly defined periphery that renders histological control of surgical margin difficult, Mohs micrographic surgery is the optimal method for treatment. A 41 years old male patient, who had a previous history of DFSP, came to our dermatology clinic for evaluation of an asymptomatic firm flesh-colored nodule on the forehead. Total excision biopsy was done and the mass was histologically proved as DFSP. Wide excision with reconstruction was performed and showed no sign of recurrence till 18-month follow up. Local recurrence is known to be common for DFSP but a new visible lesion distant from the initial site may be confused as a de novo lesion or a benign neoplasm especially in scalp area, and thus interrupt early detection of DFSP. Herein, we report a case of recurrent DFSP of scalp which recurred distant from the original lesion.
Biopsy ; Dermatofibrosarcoma* ; Dermatology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forehead ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Mohs Surgery ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma ; Scalp*

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) was first described in 1982 by Goldstein. Considered a rare malignant skin appendageal tumor, it is often underdiagnosed due to its clinical and histopathological resemblance to other cutaneous neoplasms. MAC is locally aggressive with infiltration of perineural spaces, subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscles, and so on. Aggressive treatment including wide local excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, or radiation therapy is necessary owing to the high recurrence rate. Herein, we report a case of a 47-year-old Korean woman with a skin-colored hardened plaque on the scalp with a clinical diagnosis of cicatricial alopecia and histopathological diagnosis of MAC. After treatment by Mohs micrographic surgery, the patient is being followed up regularly without any sign of recurrence. This case demonstrates an uncommon topography of MAC on the scalp with secondary cicatricial alopecia and highlights the need for awareness of the potential for MAC in the diagnosis of alopecia with a slow-growing tumor.
Alopecia* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mohs Surgery ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Pathology ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Subcutaneous Tissue

BACKGROUND: Cases of simultaneous multiple skin cancers in a single patient have become more common. Due to the multiplicity of lesions, reconstruction in such cases is more difficult than after a single lesion is removed. This study presents a series of patients with multiple facial skin cancers, with an analysis of the surgical removal, reconstruction process, and the results observed during follow-up. METHODS: We reviewed 12 patients diagnosed with multiple skin cancers on the face between November 2004 and March 2016. The patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify the type of skin cancer, the site of onset, methods of surgical removal and reconstruction, complications, and recurrence during follow-up. RESULTS: Nine patients had a single type of cancer occurring as multiple lesions, while three patients had different skin cancer types that occurred together. A total of 30 cancer sites were observed in the 12 patients. The most common cancer site was the nose. Thirteen defects were reconstructed with a flap, while 18 were reconstructed with skin grafting. The only complication was one case of recurrence of basal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Multiple skin cancers are removed by performing Mohs micrographic surgery or wide excision, resulting in multiple defect sites. The authors emphasize the importance of thoroughly evaluating local lesions surrounding the initially-identified lesions or on other sites when reconstructing a large defect which can not be covered by primary closure. Furthermore, satisfactory results can be obtained by using various methods simultaneously regarding the condition of individual patients, the defect site and size, and the surgeon’s preference.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Melanoma ; Mohs Surgery ; Nose ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Neoplasms* ; Skin Transplantation ; Skin*

No abstract available.
Dermatofibrosarcoma* ; Mohs Surgery*