BACKGROUND: 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. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether inflammation masks tumor during Mohs surgery for primary basal cell carcinoma. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: In no cases did the dense inflammation mask residual tumor. CONCLUSION: Dense inflammation does not mask primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs surgery and should be carefully evaluated before additional surgery is performed.
BACKGROUND: 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. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether inflammation masks tumor during Mohs surgery for primary basal cell carcinoma. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: In no cases did the dense inflammation mask residual tumor. CONCLUSION: Dense inflammation does not mask primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs surgery and should be carefully evaluated before additional surgery is performed.