Cirugía micrográfica de Mohs en carcinomas cutáneos: siete años de experiencia en Uruguay / Mohs micrographic surgery in skin cancer: 7 years' experience in uruguay / Cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs em carcinomas cutáneos: 7 anos de experiência no Uruguai

Introducción: la cirugía micrográfica de Mohs es una técnica para la exéresis de cánceres de piel con la ventaja del examen histológico del 100% de los márgenes quirúrgicos, logrando así la tasa de curación más alta con la máxima preservación de tejido sano circundante. Objetivo: realizar una descripción clínico-epidemiológica de 7 años de experiencia en Uruguay. Método: análisis descriptivo de pacientes operados por un mismo cirujano de Mohs registrando datos clínicos, tumorales y quirúrgicos. Resultados: se estudiaron 641 cirugías. 54,9% fueron realizadas en hombres y 45,1% en mujeres. La edad media fue de 69 años. El 68,2% correspondió a carcinoma basocelular y 31,8% a carcinoma espinocelular. El 79,4% se encontraba en cabeza y cuello. El 87,8% de los tumores fueron primarios y un 11,1% recidivas. El tipo más frecuente de cierre fue el cierre simple con 48,7% seguido de los colgajos con un 31,7%. Conclusiones: la cirugía de Mohs es un procedimiento seguro y eficaz, y nuestros resultados coinciden con lo descrito en centros de referencia internacional. Este trabajo describe 7 años de experiencia en Uruguay de la técnica de CMM, siendo el mayor a nivel nacional.

Introduction: Mohs micrographic surgery is a technique for skin cancer exeresis involving the advantage of 100% of surgical margins histological exam, which leads to highest healing rates with the maximum preservation of the surrounding healthy tissue. Objective: to conduct a clinical and epidemiological description of a 7 years' experience in Uruguay. Method: descriptive analysis of patients operated by the same Mohs surgeon who recorded clinical, tumor and surgical data. Results: 641 surgeries were included in the study. 54.9% of surgeries were performed in men and 45.1% in women. Average age was 69 years old. 68.2% of cases corresponded to basal cell carcinoma and 31.8% to squamous cell carcinoma. 79.4% were located in the head and neck, 87.8% of tumors were primary and 11.1% were cases of relapse. The most frequent type of closure was simple in 48.7% of cases, followed by flaps in 31.7%. Conclusions: Mohs surgery is a safe an effective procedure, and the results of the study agree with what is described in international reference centers. The study describes a 7 years' experience in Uruguay of Mohs micrographic surgery, being it the largest research conducted in Uruguay.

Introdução: a cirurgia micrográfica de Mohs é uma técnica de excisão de cânceres de pele com a vantagem do exame histológico de 100% das margens cirúrgicas, alcançando assim a maior taxa de cura com a máxima preservação do tecido saudável circundante. Objetivo: realizar uma descrição clínico-epidemiológica de 7 anos de experiência no Uruguai. Método: análise descritiva de pacientes operados pelo mesmo cirurgião com experiência na técnica de Mohs registrando dados clínicos, tumorais e cirúrgicos. Resultados: foram estudadas 641 cirurgias. 54,9% foram realizados em homens e 45,1% em mulheres. A média de idade foi de 69 anos. 68,2% corresponderam a carcinoma basocelular e 31,8% a carcinoma espinocelular. 79,4% estavam na cabeça e pescoço. 87,8% dos tumores eram primários e 11,1% recidivas. O tipo de fechamento mais frequente foi o fechamento simples (48,7%) seguido do fechamento com retalhos com (31,7%). Conclusões: a cirurgia de Mohs é um procedimento seguro e eficaz, e nossos resultados coincidem com os descritos em centros de referência internacionais. Este trabalho descreve 7 anos de experiência no Uruguai da técnica CMM, sendo a maior a nível nacional.

Effectiveness of temporal island flap pedicled with perforating branch of zygomatic orbital artery to repair the defects after periocular malignant tumor resection / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize the effectiveness of the temporal island flap pedicled with the perforating branch of zygomatic orbital artery for repairing defects after periocular malignant tumor resection.@*METHODS@#Between January 2015 and December 2020, 15 patients with periocular malignant tumors were treated. There were 5 males and 10 females with an average age of 62 years (range, 40-75 years). There were 12 cases of basal cell carcinoma and 3 cases of squamous carcinoma. The disease duration ranged from 5 months to 10 years (median, 2 years). The size of tumors ranged from 1.0 cm×0.8 cm to 2.5 cm×1.5 cm, without tarsal plate invasion. After extensive resection of the tumors, the left defects in size of 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 3.5 cm×2.0 cm were repaired with the temporal island flap pedicled with the perforating branch of zygomatic orbital artery via subcutaneous tunnel. The size of the flaps ranged from 3.0 cm×1.5 cm to 5.0 cm×2.0 cm. The donor sites were separated subcutaneously and sutured directly.@*RESULTS@#All flaps survived after operation and the wounds healed by first intention. The incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-24 months (median, 11 months). The flaps were not obviously bloated, the texture and color were basically the same as the surrounding normal skin, and the scars at recipient sites were not obviously. There was no complication such as ptosis, ectropion, or incomplete closure of the eyelids and recurrence of tumor during follow-up.@*CONCLUSION@#The temporal island flap pedicled with the perforating branch of zygomatic orbital artery can repair the defects after periorbital malignant tumors resection and has the advantages of reliable blood supply, flexible design, and good morphology and function.

Application of bilateral facial perforator artery flap in repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of bilateral facial perforator artery flap in repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 18 patients with large area defect in middle and lower part of nose repaired by bilateral facial perforator artery flap between January 2019 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 13 males and 5 females, the age ranged from 43 to 81 years, with an average of 63 years. There were 3 cases of nasal trauma, 4 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 8 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 1 case of lymphoma, and 2 cases of large area solar keratosis. The size of the defect ranged from 3.0 cm×3.0 cm to 4.5 cm×4.0 cm; the size of unilateral flap ranged from 3.0 cm×1.3 cm to 3.5 cm×2.0 cm, and the size of bilateral flaps ranged from 3.3 cm×2.6 cm to 4.5 cm×4.0 cm.@*RESULTS@#One patient developed skin flap necrosis after operation, and a frontal skin flap was used to repair the wound; 1 case gradually improved after removing some sutures due to venous congestion in the skin flap, and the wound healing was delayed after dressing change; the remaining 16 cases of bilateral facial perforator artery flaps survived well and all wounds healed by first intention, without any "cat ear" malformation. All 18 patients had first intention healing in the donor area, leaving linear scars without obvious scar hyperplasia, and no facial organ displacement. All patients were followed up 3-12 months, with an average of 6 months. Due to the appropriate thickness of the flap, none of the 18 patients underwent secondary flap thinning surgery. All flaps had good blood circulation, similar texture and color to surrounding tissues, symmetrical bilateral nasolabial sulcus, and high patient satisfaction.@*CONCLUSION@#The bilateral facial perforator artery flaps for repairing large area defect in middle and lower part of nose can achieve good appearance and function, and the operation is relatively simple, with high patient satisfaction.

Análisis estadístico de la práctica quirúrgica oncológica de piel, en nuestra especialidad / Statistical analysis of skin cancer surgical practice in our specialty

El cáncer de piel es el más frecuente de todos los tipos de cáncer del ser humano, por lo cual el conocimiento y diagnóstico correcto de la patología oncocutánea, así como la formación impartida a los especialistas de nuestra área, es de vital importancia a la hora de jerarquizar el diagnóstico temprano y lograr un adecuado tratamiento de forma oportuna. El correcto abordaje terapéutico del cáncer cutáneo y sus variantes es de primordial importancia en el manejo quirúrgico de los cirujanos plásticos, por lo cual la Comisión de Oncología Quirúrgica de tumores de piel de la Sociedad Argentina de Cirugía Plástica Estética y Reparadora (SACPER) decide realizar y difundir la siguiente encuesta anónima a los miembros de la SACPER. En esta encuesta evaluativa, se obtuvieron datos sobre el estado actual de formación de los cirujanos de nuestro país, la ejecución de las prácticas relacionadas con el abordaje, la resección o la reconstrucción posterior relacionados a dicha patología.

The knowledge and correct diagnosis of the oncocutaneous pathology, as well as the training provided to the specialists in our area, is of vital importance when prioritizing early diagnosis and achieving adequate treatment. The correct therapeutic approach to skin cancer and its variants is of paramount importance in the surgical management of plastic surgeons, for which we decided to carry out an anonymous survey of the members of the Argentine Society of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (SACPER). In this questionnaire, we obtained valuable information about the current state of training of surgeons in our country, the execution of practices related to the approach, resection, or subsequent reconstruction related to said pathology.

Metástasis cutánea metacrónica de carcinoma escamoso de canal anal / Methachronical cutaneous metastasis of squamous carcinoma of the anal canal / Metástase cutânea metacronica de carcinoma escamoso do canal anal

El tratamiento correcto de carcinoma escamoso avanzado requiere de un manejo multidisciplinar entre cirujanos, anatomopatólogos, radioterapeutas y radiólogos. Los protocolos están claros cuando nos hallamos ante una enfermedad localizada, sin embargo, cuando la enfermedad es metastática no existe evidencia científica de los pasos a seguir. Presentamos una paciente con un carcinoma escamoso del ano con una única metástasis cutánea metacrónica que fue tratada con cirugía y radioterapia posterior con buena respuesta.

The right therapy of anal cancer needs a multidisciplinary management of surgeons, pathologists, radiotherapists and radiologist. The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal is well-known when the patient presents a locally disease, nevertheless, there is a lack of information with the advanced anal cancer. We report a case of a 74-year-old woman with a solitary methachronical cutaneous metastasis of anal cancer which responded perfectly to surgery and radiotherapy.

A correta terapêutica do câncer anal necessita de uma gestão multidisciplinar de cirurgiões, patologistas, radio terapeutas e radiologistas.O tratamento do carcinoma espinocelular do canal anal é bem conhecido quando o paciente apresenta uma doença local, porém, há uma falta de informação sobre o câncer anal avançado. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 74 anos com metástase cutânea metacrônica solitária de câncer anal que respondeu perfeitamente à cirurgia e à radioterapia.

Nevus azul celular parotídeo, una tumoración inusual / Parotid cellular blue nevi, an unusual mass

Introducción: el nevus azul celular es una tumoración melanocítica dérmica benigna. En ocasiones, puede ser falsamente diagnosticada como lesiones malignas, entre ellas, el melanoma. Caso clínico: se trata de una mujer de 37 años que presentó una masa parotídea izquierda de cuatro meses de evolución correspondiente con un nevus azul celular. Discusión: la región de la cabeza y cuello es la tercera en frecuencia, tras la sacrococcígea y las extremidades. Ante una tumoración melanocítica, es importante la confirmación diagnóstica, debido a las similitudes, tanto clínicas como anatomopatológicas, del nevus azul celular con el melanoma maligno. Conclusiones: es muy importante el diagnóstico diferencial correcto, para lo cual es de ayuda el uso de las tinciones inmunohistoquímicas. El tratamiento de esta tumoración es la exéresis quirúrgica con márgenes, esto presenta un comportamiento benigno y baja tasa de recidiva.

Introduction: Cellular blue nevi is a benign dermal melanocytic tumor. Occasionally, it can be falsely diagnosed as malignant lesions, including melanoma. Clinical case: This is a 37-year-old woman who presented with a left parotid mass of four months of evolution, corresponding with a cellular blue nevi. Discussion: The region of the head and neck is the third in frequency, after the sacrococcygeal and the extremities. During the study of a melanocytic tumor, diagnostic confirmation with a biopsy is important, due to the similarities, both clinical and pathological, of cellular blue nevi with malignant melanoma. Conclusions: the correct differential diagnosis is very important, for which immunohistochemical study is helpful. The treatment of this tumor is the surgical excision with margins, presenting benign behaviour and low recurrence rate.

Does the pattern of lymphatic drainage influence the risk of nodal recurrence in trunk melanoma patients with negative sentinel lymph node biopsy?

Abstract Background: There are conflicting data regarding the prognostic value of the lymphatic basin drainage pattern in melanoma patients and the evidence is scant in the setting of negative sentinel lymph node biopsy. Objective: To investigate whether the pattern of lymphatic basin drainage influences the risk of nodal disease in patients with melanoma of the trunk and negative sentinel lymph node biopsy. Methods: A case series of patients with trunk melanoma and negative sentinel lymph node biopsy was retrospectively evaluated. Clinicopathological features, the pattern of lymphatic drainage and nodal, metastatic, and overall recurrence-free survival were reviewed. Results: Of the 135 patients included, multiple lymphatic basin drainage was identified in 61 (45.2%). Ten of the 74 (13.5%) patients with single drainage developed nodal recurrence, compared with 2 of the 61 (3.6%) patients with multiple drainages (p = 0.04). Nodal recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the group with multiple drainages than in the group with single drainage (175.6 vs. 138.7 months; p = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, single drainage was associated with a higher risk of nodal recurrence (HR = 4.54; p = 0.05). No significant differences in metastatic and overall recurrence-free survival were found between groups. Study limitations: Retrospective analysis, single-center study, small sample, detailed histopathologic information not always present. Conclusions: In patients with trunk melanoma and negative sentinel lymph node biopsy, multiple lymphatic basin drainage may be an independent risk factor for nodal disease recurrence. This factor may help to identify patients with negative sentinel lymph node biopsy with a higher risk of nodal recurrence.

Dermal substitutes: an alternative for the reconstruction of large full-thickness defects in the plantar surface

Abstract Large defects in plantar surface secondary to acral melanoma excision can be difficult to repair with local flaps, and skin grafts in weight-bearing surfaces often suffer necrosis causing prolonged disability. Acellular dermal matrices represent an easy alternative to cover deep wounds or those with bone or tendon exposure. Despite their high cost and the requirement of two surgical procedures, this alternative may offer excellent functional and aesthetic results in acral defects.

Factors associated with incomplete surgical margins in basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck / Fatores associados a margens cirúrgicas incompletas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço

Abstract Introduction: Cutaneous basal cell carcinoma recurrence is associated with inadequate surgical margins. The frequency of and the factors associated with compromised or inadequate surgical margins in head and neck basal cell carcinoma varies. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathological factors associated with inadequate surgical margins in head and neck basal cell carcinoma. Methods: We developed a cross-sectional study comprising all patients who had undergone resection of head and neck basal cell carcinoma from January 2017 to December 2019. Data on age, sex, head and neck topography, histopathological findings, and staging were retrieved and compared. Each tumor was considered an individual case. Compromised and close margins were termed ''inadequate'' or ''incomplete''. Variables that were significantly associated with the presence of incomplete margins were further assessed by logistic regression. Results: In total, 605 tumors from 389 patients were included. Overall, sixteen cases (2.6%) were classified as compromised, 52 (8.5%) as close, and 537 (88.7%) as free margins. Presence of scleroderma (p = 0.005), higher Clark level (p < 0.001), aggressive variants (p < 0.001), invasion beyond the adipose tissue (p < 0.001), higher T stage (p < 0.001), perineural invasion (p = 0.002), primary site (p = 0.04), multifocality (p = 0.01), and tumor diameter (p = 0.02) showed association with inadequate margins. After Logist regression, multifocality, Clark level and depth of invasion were found to be independent risk factors for inadequate margins. Conclusion: Gross clinical examination may be sufficient for determining low prevalence of inadequate surgical margins when treating head and neck basal cell carcinoma in highly experienced oncologic centers. Multifocality, Clark level and depth of invasion were found to be independent risk factors for incomplete margins.

Resumo Introdução: A recorrência do carcinoma basocelular (CBC) cutâneo está associada a margens cirúrgicas inadequadas. A frequência e os fatores associados a margens cirúrgicas comprometidas ou inadequadas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço variam. Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores clínicos e patológicos associados a margens cirúrgicas inadequadas no carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço. Método: Conduzimos um estudo transversal que abrangeu todos os pacientes submetidos à resseçcão de carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço de janeiro de 2017 a dezembro de 2019. Dados sobre idade, sexo, topografia na cabeça e pescoço, achados histopatológicos e estadiamento foram recuperados e comparados. Cada tumor foi considerado como um caso individual. As margens comprometidas e próximas foram denominadas ''inadequadas'' ou ''incompletas''. As variáveis que foram significantemente associadas à presença de margens incompletas foram avaliadas adicionalmente por regressão logística. Resultados: Foram incluídos 605 tumores de 389 pacientes. No geral, 16 casos (2,6%) foram classificados como comprometidos, 52 (8,5%) como próximos e 537 (88,7%) como margens livres. Presença de esclerodermia (p = 0,005), nível de Clark mais elevado (p < 0,001), variantes agressivas (p < 0,001), invasão além do tecido adiposo (p < 0,001), estágio T mais avançado (p < 0,001), invasão perineural (p = 0,002), sítio primário (p = 0,04), multifocalidade (p = 0,01) e diâmetro do tumor (p = 0,02) mostraram associação com margens inadequadas. Após a regressão logística, a multifocalidade, o nível de Clark e a profundidade de invasão foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para margens inadequadas. Conclusão: O exame clínico macroscópico pode ser suficiente para determinar baixa prevalência de margens cirúrgicas inadequadas no tratamento do carcinoma basocelular de cabeça e pescoço em centros oncológicos altamente experientes. Multifocalidade, nível de Clark e profundidade de invasão foram considerados fatores de risco independentes para margens incompletas.

Fibrohistiocitoma maligno de face: uma apresentação rara / Malignant fibrohistiocytoma of face: a rare presentation

Contexto: O fibrohistiocitoma maligno é um sarcoma de tecidos moles muito agressivo, com rara apresentação limitada à pele e tecido subcutâneo em face. O diagnóstico é anatomopatológico com auxílio da imuno-histoquímica. Descrição do caso: Este artigo relata o caso de um paciente com diagnóstico de fibrohistiocitoma maligno restrito à face com boa resposta terapêutica após exérese cirúrgica. Discussão: Tendo em vista a raridade dessa afecção, dificuldade diagnóstica devido ao quadro inespecífico e com rápida evolução, é importante lembrar desse possível diagnóstico e atuar precocemente. Conclusões: O diagnóstico precoce interfere de forma significativa na evolução do quadro, sendo necessária a manutenção do acompanhamento oncológico e dermatológico com o intuito de detectar precocemente recidivas locais e metástases a distância.

Recurrence of melanoma in the scar after excised Spitz nevus in a 17-year-old child

Abstract Melanoma in childhood is rare and its diagnosis is more difficult than in adults, as it often presents histologic features overlapping with the Spitz nevus. The authors report the case of a 17-year old boy who was first diagnosed with Spitz nevus, however, the final diagnosis made after the excision of the tumor arising in the scar was changed to melanoma. The case in this present study emphasizes the importance of the differential diagnosis of skin tumors in young patients.

Auricular reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery: analysis of 101 cases

Abstract Background: The ear is a region that has a high prevalence of cutaneous carcinomas and several guidelines indicate Mohs micrographic surgery as the first-choice treatment in such cases. Although the technique allows maximum preservation of healthy tissue, many auricular surgical wounds constitute a challenge due to the peculiar local anatomy, with evident curves and reliefs. Auricular reconstruction should prioritize function before aesthetics, but without leaving the latter aside, since postoperative distortions can have a significant psychological impact. Objective: To describe the authors' experience in auricular reconstruction after Mohs surgery and to evaluate the most frequently used repair methods. Methods: Retrospective study of consecutive cases submitted to Mohs surgery and auricular reconstruction, over a period of 3 years. Results: One hundred and one cases were included and the most common repair method was primary closure (n = 35), followed by full-thickness skin graft (n = 30) and flaps (n = 24). In thirty cases, reconstruction methods were associated. Seven patients had complications (partial graft necrosis, postoperative bleeding or infection). Study limitations: Retrospective design and the absence of long-term follow-up of some cases. Conclusions: The dermatologic surgeon should be familiarized with different options for auricular reconstruction. Primary closure and skin grafts were the most frequently used repair methods.

Recidiva intestinal única de melanoma cutáneo maligno: reporte de un caso / Intestinal relapse of a cutaneous melanoma: report of one case

Digestive tract primary melanoma is uncommon. However, metastatic lesions are more frequent and occur mainly in the small intestine. We report a 69-year-old male patient who consulted for a hyperpigmented skin lesion on the left thigh associated with multiple subcutaneous nodules. The biopsy was compatible with melanoma and PET/CT was positive for metastases in nodules and in an inguinal lymph node. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy with pembrolizumab were performed with good response, associated with posterior resection of the inguinal lymph node and melanocytic lesions. At three years of follow-up, a new hypermetabolic focus in the proximal jejunum was found in a control PET/CT. An endoscopic biopsy confirmed that it was a recurrence of the melanoma. Laparoscopic resection with primary anastomosis was performed with good clinical evolution. The definitive biopsy showed a melanoma metastasis with two of three lymph nodes positive for metastasis and a non-mutated BRAF gene. In conclusion, a single intestinal recurrence of melanoma is rare and requires an active search, since it can be resected using minimally invasive techniques.

Tumores cutáneos de colisión / Cutaneous collision tumors

Los tumores de colisión consisten en neoplasias compuestas por dos poblaciones celulares distintas que mantienen una clara diferenciación de sus bordes y que se encuentran adyacentes una de otra en la misma muestra histopatológica. Esta asociación puede corresponder a dos tumores malignos, dos benignos o uno maligno y uno benigno. Son infrecuentes y, en ocasiones, representan un desafío clínico para la detección correcta de ambas neoplasias. Se presenan los casos de tres pacientes con tumores cutáneos de colisión, de estirpe melanocítica combinada con queratinocítica; en dos de ellos ambas neoplasias fueron malignas y en uno, se asociaron una lesión maligna y una benigna.

Collision tumors consist of neoplasms composed of two different cell populations that maintain a clear differentiation of their borders, and that are adjacent to each other in the same histopathological sample. This association can correspond to two malignant tumors, two benign, or one malignant and one benign. They are infrequent and, at times, represent a clinical challenge for the correct detection of both neoplasms. Three cases of cutaneous collision tumors of a melanocytic line combined with a keratinocytic line are presented, two of them in which both neoplasms were malignant and one that associated a malignant and a benign lesion.

Mohs micrographic surgery: a review of indications, technique, outcomes, and considerations

Abstract Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized form of skin cancer surgery that has the highest cure rates for several cutaneous malignancies. Certain skin cancers can have small extensions or "roots" that may be missed if an excised tumor is serially cross-sectioned in a "bread-loaf" fashion, commonly performed on excision specimens. The method of Mohs micrographic surgery is unique in that the dermatologist (Mohs surgeon) acts as both surgeon and pathologist, from the preoperative considerations until the reconstruction. Since Dr. Mohs's initial work in the 1930s, the practice of Mohs micrographic surgery has become increasingly widespread among the dermatologic surgery community worldwide and is considered the treatment of choice for many common and uncommon cutaneous neoplasms. Mohs micrographic surgery spares the maximal amount of normal tissue and is a safe procedure with very few complications, most of them managed by Mohs surgeons in their offices. Mohs micrographic surgery is the standard of care for high risks basal cell carcinomas and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and is commonly and increasingly used for melanoma and other rare tumors with superior cure rates. This review better familiarizes the dermatologists with the technique, explains the difference between Mohs micrographic surgery and wide local excision, and discusses its main indications.

The current role of surgery in the treatment of cardiac metastases from malignant melanoma: an educational presentation

Abstract A 71 year-old male with a history of multiple excisions of an initial Clark's level V melanoma of the breast followed by combined radiation and interferon treatment, as well as a recurrence, 3 years later, of a BRAF-positive tumor of the shoulder, with subsequent therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib, presented again with progressive intracardiac masses causing significant right ventricular outflow obstruction. Additionally, the patient complained of dyspnea and fatigue on exertion, thus he was scheduled for surgical resection.

Ear melanoma: a four-case series

Abstract External ear melanoma is rare, and early diagnosis and treatment are paramount for the patient's survival. Four clinical cases are reported, emphasizing the importance of the routine clinical examination of the ears in the dermatological consultation. The study included male and female patients, aged 60 to 81 years old, with melanocytic lesions in the outer ear, evaluated with detailed physical and dermoscopic examination, leading to the identification of lesions suggestive of melanoma. The cases were treated surgically with excision of the lesion, and the diagnoses were confirmed by histopathological study. The therapeutic approach was instituted early as most cases were diagnosed at an early stage, which directly impacted global survival.

Basal cell carcinoma with compromised margins: retrospective study of management, evolution, and prognosis

Abstract Background: Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy in the Western world, and surgical excision is the preferred approach. The approach adopted in the face of incomplete excisions of basal cell carcinoma is still controversial. Objectives: To compare the number of tumor recurrences after treatment for incompletely excised basal cell carcinoma. Methods: Selection and statistical analysis of medical records of patients who had compromised margins after excision of basal cell carcinoma in a tertiary hospital from 2008 to 2013. Results: A total of 120 medical records were analyzed; the mean age was 69.6 years, and 50% of the patients were female. The most prevalent histological type was nodular; the mean size was 1.1 cm, and the tumor location with the highest incidence was the nose. The lateral margin was the most frequently positive. Clinical follow-up was more widely adopted; only 40 patients underwent a second surgery. The total number of patients who had tumor recurrence was 34 (28.3%). Only the malar location significantly influenced the incidence of recurrence (p = 0.02). The mean follow-up time was 29.54 months, with no significant difference between the follow-ups, although 32.9% of the patients followed-up clinically showed recurrence, against only 20% of those who underwent a second surgery. Study limitations: Mean follow-up time of less than five years and sample size. Conclusions: The presence of compromised margins does not necessarily imply recurrence. Location, tumor size, histological subtype, previous epithelial tumors, and clinical conditions of the patient must be considered when choosing the best treatment option.

Skin graft associated with platelet-rich plasma in correcting extensive injuries resulting from the resection of skin cancer chemically induced in rats

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate whether using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the graft recipient bed after the resection of a neoplasia can influence its recurrence because this product stimulates angiogenesis, mitogenesis and chemotaxis. Methods: A study with 30 rats Wistar (Rattus norvegicus albinus), which were separated into group A (induction of carcinogenesis, PRP in the postoperative period) and group B (induction of carcinogenesis, absence of PRP in the postoperative period), with 15 animals in each. Carcinogenesis was induced on the skin of the animals' chest by the topical application of 0.5% dimethylbenzantracene (DMBA) diluted in acetone. After surgical resection of the induced neoplasia, PRP was used to stimulate angiogenesis before surgical wound synthesis. Data on the control and experimental groups and macroscopic and microscopic variables were evaluated using analysis of variance and the Tukey's test (5%). Results: It was possible to determine that the use of PRP is good in reconstructive surgeries, but it is contraindicated in patients during tumor resection, as it can cause changes in the surgical bed, in addition to stimulating recurrences and metastases. Conclusions: PRP may interact with tumour cells that were in the recipient site of the surgical wound during the resection of a neoplasia, and a local recurrence process can be triggered by applying this product.