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Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:231-232.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Structured literature reviews have concluded that scientific evidence is insufficient to recommend a single treatment as superior for most basal cell carcinomas (BCCs).^1-2 Nonetheless, the conviction that Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the best therapy is widespread. A recent editorial raised several questions about the advisability of a randomized trial of BCC treatments, stating "The evidence strongly suggests, as does common sense, that MMS is more effective at eradicating a given primary BCC than is surgical excision."^3(p1257)

Recently, the results of a randomized controlled trial of surgical excision and MMS for facial BCC were reported.⁴ The primary outcome was tumor recurrence at 30 months in 408 primary BCCs and at 18 months in 204 recurrent BCCs. Overall, the recurrence rates in the primary group were 3% after surgical excision and 2% after MMS, and in the recurrent group, 3% after surgical excision and 0% after MMS. Differences in recurrence rates . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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TAKE-HOME MESSAGES AND A QUESTION

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Mary-Margaret Chren, MD

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Cost-effectiveness of Mohs Micrographic Surgery vs Surgical Excision for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face
Brigitte A. B. Essers, Carmen D. Dirksen, Fred H. M. Nieman, Nicole W. J. Smeets, Gertrude A. M. Krekels, Martin H. Prins, and H. A. Martino Neumann
Arch Dermatol. 2006;142(2):187-194.
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