BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery is an important technique for dealing with difficult non-melanoma skin cancers. The ability of the Mohs surgeon to correctly interpret the histopathology is crucial to the practice of this surgery. This study sought to assess the concordance between a Mohs surgeon and a dermatopathologist in the reading of Mohs section histopathology slides. METHODS: This study was a retrospective study of Mohs frozen section histopathology slides of patients from a private Mohs practice. The slides were provided for assessment by a dermatopathologist who had to interpret the histopathology and mark on a Mohs map the location of the tumour. RESULTS: We demonstrate a 95% agreement between the Mohs surgeon and the dermatopathologist in the interpretation of Mohs frozen section histopathology slides. CONCLUSION: An Australian Mohs surgeon is capable of correctly identifying and interpreting histopathology in non-melanoma skin cancers, and this compares favourably to an overseas study.
BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery is an important technique for dealing with difficult non-melanoma skin cancers. The ability of the Mohs surgeon to correctly interpret the histopathology is crucial to the practice of this surgery. This study sought to assess the concordance between a Mohs surgeon and a dermatopathologist in the reading of Mohs section histopathology slides. METHODS: This study was a retrospective study of Mohs frozen section histopathology slides of patients from a private Mohs practice. The slides were provided for assessment by a dermatopathologist who had to interpret the histopathology and mark on a Mohs map the location of the tumour. RESULTS: We demonstrate a 95% agreement between the Mohs surgeon and the dermatopathologist in the interpretation of Mohs frozen section histopathology slides. CONCLUSION: An Australian Mohs surgeon is capable of correctly identifying and interpreting histopathology in non-melanoma skin cancers, and this compares favourably to an overseas study.