Mohs Surgery Matches Wide Excision in Effectiveness for Lentigo Maligna Melanoma, Study Shows

New findings indicate that Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) may be as effective as traditional wide local excision (WLE) in treating lentigo maligna (LM) and its invasive form, lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), without affecting melanoma-specific survival outcomes. This insight supports the consideration of MMS as an option for managing these conditions, especially given the risks of untreated progression from LM to LMM in older, sun-exposed individuals.

Comparing MMS and WLE for Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

Published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, the study analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database, covering 22,852 cases of LM and LMM confirmed microscopically. Patients in the study underwent either MMS or WLE, with researchers examining disease-specific survival as a primary measure of treatment efficacy. The results showed no significant difference in survival rates between the two surgical approaches, suggesting that MMS can serve as a viable alternative to WLE in LM and LMM cases.

Implications for Practice

This study reinforces the potential of MMS, a procedure already trusted in treating LM, to be effective in cases of LMM as well. The researchers hope that this evidence will prompt more practitioners to consider MMS as a treatment option for LM and LMM. For practitioners managing LM and LMM cases, these findings support the consideration of MMS as an alternative to WLE, potentially expanding options for tailored treatment plans.