Dense inflammation does not mask residual primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs micrographic surgery.

Abstract

Areas of dense inflammation are commonly removed during Mohs micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma because of the concern that they may mask areas of tumor. Our purpose was to determine whether inflammation masks tumor during Mohs surgery for primary basal cell carcinoma. Twenty-five consecutive cases of primary basal cell carcinoma with areas of dense inflammation encountered during Mohs surgery were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Ber-EP4. In no cases did the dense inflammation mask residual tumor. Dense inflammation does not mask primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs surgery and should be carefully evaluated before additional surgery is performed.