Crum, Olivia M.

BACKGROUND Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is increasingly used to treat cutaneous melanoma. However, it is unclear whether intraoperative immunohistochemistry (IHC) improves surgical outcomes. OBJECTIVE To determine whether intraoperative IHC during MMS and staged excision is associated with a decreased risk of poor surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Search of 6 databases identified comparative and noncomparative studies that reported local recurrence after MMS or staged excision with or without IHC for melanoma. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled local recurrence rates, nodal recurrence, distant recurrence, and disease-specific mortality. RESULTS Overall, 57 studies representing 12,043 patients with cutaneous melanoma and 12,590 tumors met inclusion criteria. Combined MMS and staged excision with IHC was associated with decreased local recurrence in patients with invasive melanoma (0.3%, 95% CI: 0–0.6) versus hematoxylin and eosin alone (1.8%, 95% CI: 0.8%–2.8%) [p < .001]. Secondary outcomes including nodal recurrence, distant recurrence, and disease-specific mortality were not significantly different between these 2 groups. Study heterogeneity was moderately-high. CONCLUSION Local recurrence of invasive melanoma is significantly lower after MMS and staged excision with IHC as opposed to without IHC. These findings suggest that the use of intraoperative IHC during MMS or staged excision should strongly be considered, particularly for invasive melanoma. Trial Registration PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42023435630.

BACKGROUND Although advances have been made in the understanding of recurrence patterns in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, the current understanding of disease-specific mortality after surgical management is limited. OBJECTIVE To understand disease-specific mortality rates associated with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans treated with wide local excision (WLE) versus Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted on March 6, 2023, to identify patients treated with MMS or WLE for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. RESULTS A total of 136 studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, the disease-specific mortality rate was not significantly different after treatment with MMS (0.7%, confidence interval [CI] 0.1–1.2, p: 0.016) versus WLE (0.9%, CI 0.6–1.2, p < .001). For recurrent tumors, the MMS treatment group had a statistically significantly lower disease-specific mortality rate (1.0%, CI 0.0–2.0, p 0.046) compared with the WLE treatment group (3.5%, CI 2.0–5.1, p < .001). The mean follow-up for all studies was 57.6 months. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE The authors' meta-analysis suggests there is no substantial difference in disease-specific mortality between MMS and WLE in patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, except in the case of recurrent tumors, where MMS seems to confer a survival advantage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Primary cutaneous melanoma incidence is increasing in elderly individuals. This population-based cohort examines incidence and mortality rates among adults aged 61 years and older with cutaneous melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, patients aged 61 years of age or older with a first lifetime diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 2020 were identified. RESULTS The age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate increased from 16.4 (95% CI, 8.2–24.6) per 100,000 person-years in 1970 to 1979 to 201.5 (95% CI, 185.1–217.8) per 100,000 person-years in 2011 to 2020 (12.3-fold increase). There was a 16.0x increase in males and an 8.5× increase in females. Melanoma incidence has stabilized in males (1.2-fold increase, p = .11) and continues to significantly increase in females (2.7-fold increase, p < .001). Older age at diagnosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of death (HR 1.23 per 5-year increase in age at diagnosis, 95% CI, 1.02–1.47). CONCLUSION Melanoma incidence continues to increase since 1970. The incidence has risen in elderly females, but has stabilized in males. Mortality has decreased throughout this period.

BACKGROUND Current consensus guidelines have discouraged the use of sub-0.5-cm (in situ) and sub-1-cm (invasive) margins when performing Mohs micrographic surgery (Mohs) for melanoma, with minimal evidence to guide this recommendation. OBJECTIVE To compare melanoma local recurrence rates after Mohs based on initial margin size. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with search terms including Mohs micrographic surgery, surgical margin, recurrent disease, and melanoma. RESULTS Forty-three studies were included. The 5- to 10-mm margin category had a statistically significant lower local recurrence compared with 1- to 5-mm and 5-mm categories. Recurrence for 1- to 5-mm, 5-mm, 5- to 10-mm, and 10-mm categories were 2.3% (CI 0.8–3.5, p < .001), 1.4% (CI 0.6–2.2, p < .001), 0.3% (CI 0.2–0.5, p < .001), and 6.1% (CI -6.7 - 18.8, p = .349), respectively. Number of stages for 1 to 5, 5, 5 to 10, and 10-mm categories were 1.8, 1.8, 1.6, and 1.6, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = .694). CONCLUSION Five- to 10-mm margins were associated with the lowest local recurrence rates. A 5- to 10-mm initial margin should be considered where other factors (tumor characteristics, anatomical or functional considerations) allow.