Delayed Mohs surgery in patients with melanoma: A cross-sectional study of clinical outcomes

Abstract

Background: Melanoma is a type of tumor that originates from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. To ensure a clear surgical margin, it is crucial to employ the appropriate surgical technique promptly. Mohs micrographic surgery is one such technique. This study examines the outcomes of patients with melanoma who underwent delayed Mohs surgery. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 30 patients who underwent delayed Mohs surgery. We collected demographic data, including age and sex, as well as clinical information such as the age of melanoma onset, the location and size of the lesion, disease stage, lesion characteristics before Mohs surgery, recurrence rate, mortality rate, and the interval between Mohs surgery and disease recurrence. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Among the patients, 73.3 were women. The mean age of patients at the time of the study was 39.1 ± 8.55 years, while the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 35.5 ± 7.8 years. The recurrence rate was 0.77 ± 0.5, and the number of Mohs procedures performed per patient was 1.4 ± 0.56. Additionally, 13.3 of the patients had died by the time of the study. The findings of the present study demonstrated that recurrence is significantly associated with the stage of the disease. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the recurrence of melanoma is significantly associated with the stage of the disease, while the location of the lesion does not appear to have a significant impact. Additionally, the recurrence rate and mortality associated with melanoma in patients examined in this study are higher than those reported in previous research. This discrepancy may be attributed to the relationship between these factors and the disease stage. Furthermore, it is possible that the higher recurrence rates observed in this study compared to others may be due to the effectiveness of classical Mohs surgery over delayed Mohs surgery, making it a more suitable option for patients. However, further research is necessary to validate the findings of this study. © Iranian Journal of Dermatology.