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 surgery and postoperative radiotherapy.

METHODS

With a computerized tumor registry we identified 44 cases of squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion recurrence, and hazard rates were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 44 patients treated with Mohs surgery, three had recurrences. On this basis a survival probability of 88.7% was calculated. Calculation of hazard rate showed highest probability of recurrence 3 to 6 years after Mohs surgery. The clinical characteristics associated with perineural tumor invasion were male sex, size of tumor (> 2 cm), forehead location, and previous therapy.

CONCLUSION

When compared with conventional surgical excision and postoperative radiotherapy, early detection and treatment by Mohs surgery of squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion result in a much improved survival probability.