ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although some skin tumors possess distinct clinical features, biopsy is essential to confirm diagnosis in most cases of skin tumor. Furthermore, the appropriate treatment method is determined according to the diagnosis. Clinicians experience difficulties in further evaluation and management of patients who present after simple excision of skin tumor before definite diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of simply excised malignant skin tumor before confirming the diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the records of patients who presented after excision of malignant skin tumor without confirming diagnosis in other hospitals. We investigated the initial and final diagnosis, completeness of excision, recurrence, and management. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled in this study. Most patients had undergone an operation by a surgeon. Although basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were common, various other tumors including myxofibrosarcoma, mucinous eccrine carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and porocarcinoma, were also found. Re-operation was required in most cases. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that excision of malignant skin tumor before definite diagnosis leads to many problems, such as the delay of accurate diagnosis, possibility of incomplete excision, and difficulty in localizing the remaining tumor and deciding the resection margin.