MOHS for head and neck mucosal cancer: report on 111 patients.

Microscopically Oriented Histologic Surgery (MOHS) has been applied to primary epidermoid cancers of the mucosal tissues of the head and neck since 1979. In that time we have treated 170 patients and maintained excellent records, losing no patients to follow-up. One hundred three patients have been followed for 2 years. Of this group, only nine patients have developed local recurrences; three were salvaged, six were not. This presentation reviews the concept of MOHS and its application to head and neck mucosal lesions. The results are analyzed, and conclusions are drawn regarding what we have learned about the biologic behavior of head and neck tumors and the role of MOHS in treating these neoplasms.