AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SUITABILITY OF MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY IN PATIENTS AGED 90 YEARS AND OLDER

BACKGROUND. One option for the treatment of cutaneous tumors in the ve ry elderly has been simple observation. However, the combination of an increasing elderly population and It concomitant high incidence of sk in cancer will make this problem more common. OBJECTIVE. TO assess the suitability of Mohs micrographic surgery as a treatment modality for skin cancer in the 90 years and older age group. METHODS. A group of p atients who underwent Mohs surgery from January 1988 to August 1996 ag ed 90 years and older was identified, and tumor type, site, comorbid m edical conditions, medications, and surgical complications were record ed.RESULTS. A total Of 106 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), 33 squamous c ell carcinomas (SCC), six melanomas, and one basosquamous carcinoma we ve resected from 115 patients with an average age of 92.4 years. The o verall ratio of BCC/SCC was 3.2 BCCs occurred most commonly on the fac e; SCCs were found more frequently on the cheeks. Patients had an aver age of 1.9 comorbid medical conditions and took an average of 2.3 regu lar medications. One complication occurred. CONCLUSION. Mohs surgery i s a safe and effective therapy for those over 90 years df age. (C) 199 7 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.