SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF SKIN WITH PERINEURAL INVASION

Background: Perineural invasion of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin causes increased mortality. Objective: We compared survival rates for treatment with Mohs surgery with previous studies of conventional sur gery and postoperative radiotherapy. Methods: With a computerized tumo r registry we identified 44 cases of squamous cell carcinoma with peri neural invasion recurrence, and hazard rates were calculated. Results: Of 44 patients treated with Mohs surgery, three had recurrences. On t his basis a survival probability of 88.7% was calculated. Calculation of hazard rate showed highest probability of recurrence 3 to 6 years a fter Mohs surgery. The clinical characteristics associated with perine ural tumor invasion were male sex, size of tumor (> 2 cm), forehead lo cation, and previous therapy. Conclusion: When compared with conventio nal surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy, early detection and treatment by Mohs surgery of squamous cell carcinoma with perineur al invasion result in a much improved survival probability.