Penile Basal Cell Carcinoma: Two Cases Treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Remarks on Pathogenesis

Mohs micrographic surgery for penoscrotal malignancy

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been shown to reduce recurrence rates when used to excise many different mucocutaneous neoplasms, especially of the head and neck. The low recurrence rates are due to careful microscopic evaluation of the horizontal and vertical surgical margins. This article discusses the utility and limitations of MMS in controlling neoplasia of the male genitalia. Specific penoscrotal neoplasias discussed in this article include invasive and in situ squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, extramammary Paget disease, and granular cell tumor.

[Mohs micrographic surgery: aplication of this technique to penile neoplasms]

Mohs micrographic surgery is a surgical technique that allows the excision in successive layers of cutaneous malignancies with the higher cure rates. At the same time, this surgical technique offers the maximal preservation of normal tissue. That is possible because Mohs surgery provides the advantage of microscopically controlled tumor-free borders in each stage guiding the surgeon in the tumor persistence until the complete surgical excision. Mohs micrographic surgery is a precise treatment for penile neoplasms and its utility is justified because the removal of a substantial surgical margin of normal tissue is obviated. MoHs micrographic surgery is indicated in the treatment of penile verrucous carcinoma due to the significant risk of loco-regional recurrence after conventional surgery. Although infrequent, other penile neoplasms that can benefit from Mohs micrographic surgery are: basal cell carcinoma, extrammamary Paget's disease, in situ melanoma and granular cell tumor.