Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Patients Younger Than 40 Years

BACKGROUND: As the availability of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) continues to expand in Australia and incidence of keratinocyte cancer increases in adolescents and young adults, there has been rising interest in the use of MMS in this population. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of MMS cases in patients younger than 40 years. METHODS: A review was performed of all MMS cases in patients younger than 40 years at the time of their surgery from 2012 to 2017 at the Skin and Cancer Foundation Australia, with comparison to a control group, aged older than 40 years. Patient, tumor and management characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-three cases were eligible. Study and control groups differed significantly regarding gender (p < .001), tumor pathology (p < .001), anatomic site of tumor (p < .001), Mohs surgery stages (p = .039), defect size (p < .001), and repair method (p < .001). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study at a single institution. CONCLUSION: Mohs micrographic surgery cases in patients younger than 40 years exhibit unique patient and tumor characteristics influencing choice of repair method.