Outcomes for Invasive Melanomas Treated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been used effectively to treat invasive melanoma. OBJECTIVE: To further study the safety and efficacy of MMS in the treatment of invasive melanoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective cohort study evaluated 123 melanomas excised using MMS with MART-1 immunostain. Local recurrence, metastasis, overall survival, and disease-free survival rates were calculated. These were compared with historical controls. RESULTS: Among included patients, 78 were men (63%) and 45 were women (37%), with a mean age of 66.48 years. Mean follow-up time was 1,273 days (3.49 years). Local recurrence was identified in 2/123 (1.63%; 95% confidence interval, 0.20%-5.75%) lesions. Local recurrence was identified in 1/70 (1.43%; 95% confidence interval, 0.04%-7.70%) of head and neck cases. Tumor location was head and neck in 70 lesions (56.9%). Overall survival was 95.12% and disease-specific survival was 100%. CONCLUSION: Mohs micrographic surgery is an effective treatment method for invasive melanoma, as evidenced by low recurrence rates and high rates of disease-free survival.