Thuzar M. Shin

Low recurrence rates for in situ and invasive melanomas using Mohs micrographic surgery with melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1) immunostaining: Tissue processing methodology to optimize pathologic staging and margin assessment

BACKGROUND Various methods of tissue processing have been used to treat melanoma with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). OBJECTIVE We describe a method of treating melanoma with MMS that combines breadloaf frozen sectioning of the central debulking excision with complete peripheral and deep microscopic margin evaluation, allowing detection of upstaging and comprehensive pathologic margin assessment before reconstruction. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating for local recurrence and upstaging in 614 invasive or in situ melanomas in 577 patients treated with this MMS tissue processing methodology using frozen sections with melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1) immunostaining. Follow-up was available in 597 melanomas in 563 patients. RESULTS Local recurrence was identified in 0.34% (2/597) lesions with a mean follow-up time of 1026 days (2.8 years). Upstaging occurred in 34 of 614 lesions (5.5%), of which 97% (33/34) were detected by the Mohs surgeon before reconstruction. LIMITATIONS Limitations include retrospective study, intermediate follow-up time, and that the recurrence status of 39.6% of patients was self-reported. CONCLUSION Treating melanoma with MMS that combines breadloaf sectioning of the central debulking excision with complete peripheral and deep microscopic margin evaluation permits identification of upstaging and consideration of sentinel lymph node biopsy before definitive reconstruction and achieves low local recurrence rates compared with conventional excision.

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Skin Cancer in Organ Transplant Recipients in the United States

Importance Skin cancer is the most common malignancy occurring after organ transplantation. Although previous research has reported an increased risk of skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients (OTRs), no study has estimated the posttransplant population–based incidence in the United States. Objective To determine the incidence and evaluate the risk factors for posttransplant skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma (MM), and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in a cohort of US OTRs receiving a primary organ transplant in 2003 or 2008. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter retrospective cohort study examined 10 649 adult recipients of a primary transplant performed at 26 centers across the United States in the Transplant Skin Cancer Network during 1 of 2 calendar years (either 2003 or 2008) identified through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database. Recipients of all organs except intestine were included, and the follow-up periods were 5 and 10 years. Main Outcomes and Measures Incident skin cancer was determined through detailed medical record review. Data on predictors were obtained from the OPTN database. The incidence rates for posttransplant skin cancer overall and for SCC, MM, and MCC were calculated per 100 000 person-years. Potential risk factors for posttransplant skin cancer were tested using multivariate Cox regression analysis to yield adjusted hazard ratios (HR). Results Overall, 10 649 organ transplant recipients (mean [SD] age, 51 [12] years; 3873 women [36%] and 6776 men [64%]) contributed 59 923 years of follow-up. The incidence rates for posttransplant skin cancer was 1437 per 100 000 person-years. Specific subtype rates for SCC, MM, and MCC were 812, 75, and 2 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. Statistically significant risk factors for posttransplant skin cancer included pretransplant skin cancer (HR, 4.69; 95% CI, 3.26-6.73), male sex (HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.34-1.81), white race (HR, 9.04; 95% CI, 6.20-13.18), age at transplant 50 years or older (HR, 2.77; 95% CI, 2.20-3.48), and being transplanted in 2008 vs 2003 (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.22-1.94). Conclusions and Relevance Posttransplant skin cancer is common, with elevated risk imparted by increased age, white race, male sex, and thoracic organ transplantation. A temporal cohort effect was present. Understanding the risk factors and trends in posttransplant skin cancer is fundamental to targeted screening and prevention in this population.

Correlation Between Appropriate Use Criteria and the Frequency of Subclinical Spread or Reconstruction With a Flap or Graft for Melanomas Treated With Mohs Surgery With Melanoma Antigen Recognized by T Cells 1 Immunostaining.

BACKGROUND Published appropriate use criteria (AUC) for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for melanoma are based on consensus opinion. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether published AUC identify melanomas for which MMS may benefit patients by detecting subclinical spread or confirming clear microscopic margins before flap or graft reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective cohort study of 591 melanomas in 556 patients evaluating the correlation between current AUC (anatomic location, recurrent status, and tumor stage) and subclinical spread or reconstruction with a flap or graft. RESULTS Anatomic location on the head, neck, genitalia, hands, feet, or pretibial leg was associated with a significantly higher frequency of subclinical spread (odds ratio (OR) 1.89, p = .0280) and flap or graft reconstruction (OR 10.3, p = .0001). Compared with primary lesions, recurrent melanomas had a higher frequency of subclinical spread (OR 1.78, p = .0104) and reconstruction with a flap or graft (OR 1.67, p = .0217). The frequencies of subclinical spread and flap or graft reconstruction did not differ between in situ and invasive melanomas. CONCLUSION Anatomic location and recurrent status are useful criteria to identify melanomas that may benefit from MMS. Tumor stage is not a useful criterion, as MMS has similar benefits for subsets of both invasive and in situ melanomas.

Clinical and pathologic factors associated with subclinical spread of invasive melanoma

Background Indications to treat invasive melanoma with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) or analogous techniques with exhaustive microscopic margin assessment have not been defined. Objective Identify clinical and histologic factors associated with subclinical spread of invasive melanoma. Methods This retrospective, cross‐sectional study evaluated 216 invasive melanomas treated with MMS and melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 immunostaining. Logistic regression models were used to correlate clinicopathologic risk factors with subclinical spread and construct a count prediction model. Results Risk factors associated with subclinical spread by multivariate analysis included tumor localization on the head and neck (OR 3.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16‐9.32), history of previous treatment (OR 4.18, 95% CI 1.42‐12.32), age ≥65 (OR 4.45, 95% CI 1.29‐15.39), and ≥1 mitoses/mm2 (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.01‐6.83). Tumor thickness and histologic subtype were not associated with subclinical spread. The probability of subclinical spread increased per number of risk factors, ranging from 9.22% (95% CI 2.57%‐15.86%) with 1 factor to 80.32% (95% CI 68.13%‐92.51%) with 5 factors. Limitations This study was conducted at a single academic institution with a small study population using a retrospective study design that was subject to potential referral bias. Conclusion Clinical and histologic factors identify invasive melanomas that are at increased risk for subclinical spread and might benefit from MMS or analogous techniques prior to reconstruction.

Patient and Physician Assessment of Surgical Scars: A Systematic Review

Importance Surgical scarring affects patients by distracting the gaze of onlookers, disrupting social interactions, and impairing psychosocial health. Patient and physician agreement regarding ideal scar characteristics is important in developing congruent expectations after surgery. Objective To summarize published studies assessing patient and physician ratings of surgical scars, rates of patient and physician agreement in scar assessment, and elements of cutaneous scar assessment that differ between patients and physicians. Evidence Review A literature search of Ovid/Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE was conducted from January 1, 1972, to August 1, 2015. Prospective studies comparing scars from different surgical techniques using at least 1 physician-reported and patient-reported scar measure were included. Strength of studies was graded according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. Findings The review identified 29 studies comprising 4485 patients. Of the 29 included studies, 20 (69%) were randomized clinical trials (RCTs), 5 (17%) were prospective, nonrandomized studies, and 4 (14%) were descriptive studies. Disagreement between patients and physician evaluation of scars occurred in 28% (8 of 29) studies, with only patients rating scar difference in 75% (6 of 8) of these cases. Patients were more likely to value scar depth while physicians were more likely to value scar pigmentation and relief. Conclusions and Relevance Methodologically rigorous studies that include clinician- and patient-reported scar outcomes are uncommon. Studies that incorporate subjective and objective scar grading reveal disagreement between patients and clinicians. Of the incision and wound closure techniques assessed, few affected patient- and clinician-reported outcomes, but the evidence remains weak and future studies are recommended.

Clinical factors associated with subclinical spread of in situ melanoma

Background Subclinical spread of in situ melanoma occurs at a wide frequency, ranging from 12% to 71%. Objective To identify clinical factors associated with subclinical spread of in situ melanoma. Methods We used a retrospective, cross‐sectional study of 674 consecutive in situ melanomas to examine 627 patients treated with Mohs surgery and melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 immunostaining. The presence of subclinical spread was correlated with clinical characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Both univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated significantly increased odds for subclinical spread of in situ melanomas when they were located on the head or neck, at acral sites, or on the pretibial leg (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.41‐3.40); in persons with a history of prior treatment (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.74‐4.420); melanomas of preoperative size >1 cm (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.23‐2.46, P = .002); or in persons ≥60 years old (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.01‐2.13, P = .042). A count prediction model demonstrated that the risk for subclinical spread increased with the number of clinical risk factors. Limitation We used a single‐site, retrospective study design. Conclusion Clarifying the risk factors for subclinical spread might help to refine triage of in situ melanomas to the appropriate surgical techniques for margin assessment prior to reconstruction.

Risk factors for positive or equivocal margins after wide local excision of 1345 cutaneous melanomas

Background Positive or equivocal margins after wide local excision (WLE) complicate surgical management of cutaneous melanoma. Objective To identify the frequency of and risk factors for positive or equivocal margins after WLE of cutaneous melanoma. Methods Retrospective, single‐center, cross‐sectional study of 1345 consecutive melanomas treated with WLE. Results The overall frequency of positive or equivocal margins was 4.2% (56/1345), ranging from 2.2% to 22.6%, depending on the size of the surgical margins, patient characteristics, biopsy history, and the clinicopathology of the melanoma. In descending order, independent risk factors associated with the greatest odds for positive or equivocal margins after multivariate analysis were noncompliance with recommended surgical margins (odds ratio [OR] 5.57, P = .002); anatomic location on the head, neck, hands, feet, genitals, or pretibial leg (OR 5.07, P < .001); histologic regression (OR 2.78, P = .007); in situ melanoma (OR 2.27, P = .011); multiple biopsies at the tumor site before WLE (OR 1.92 [per biopsy], P = .004); and increasing age (OR 1.049 [per year], P < .001). Limitations This was a single‐site, retrospective observational study. Conclusions Clinicopathologic factors, especially location in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas and noncompliance with recommended surgical margins, identified melanomas at increased risk for positive or equivocal margins after WLE.

Patient-reported quality of life and psychosocial health prior to skin cancer treatment – A cross-sectional study

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Repair of a Large Multisubunit Nasal Defect.

*Department of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio

Utilization patterns and survival outcomes after wide local excision or Mohs micrographic surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma in the United States, 2004-2009

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