Man Suffers Permanent Disfigurement from Botched Mohs Procedure

Case Overview

This case involves a middle-aged man who underwent a Mohs procedure in order to remove a cancerous lesion from the skin of his face. The lesion was removed from underneath his left eye on the ridge of his cheekbone, and the procedure began with a conservative approach initially. However, as the procedure progressed the margins were steadily increased, until a substantial section of skin was removed. The patient was left with a conspicuous deformity as a result, and it was later claimed that the removal of tissue was too aggressive for his diagnosis.

Questions to the Oncology expert and their responses

How often do you perform Mohs skin cancer surgery?

I perform Mohs 2 times a week and see patients otherwise for only skin cancer issues.

What can be avoided to remove unnecessary layers of skin during the surgery?

Proper surgical technique and review of histology is the best way to prevent unnecessary layer removal. Evaluating a lesion and the initial biopsies are critical to planning the surgery. During surgery, review of histology is critical and making sure that proper processing provides high-quality slides during each stage so unnecessary stages are not needed and further layers taken.

About the expert

This expert has 10 years of experience in the field of dermatologic oncology. He earned his BS in physiology and neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego, and his MD from the University of California, Los Angeles. He completed a residency in dermatology and a fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology at Columbia University. Today, this expert is board certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery. He stays active in his field as a member of various professional societies and is a named fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. He has published 18 peer-reviewed papers and serves as a reviewer for six renowned medical journals. Previously, he served as director of dermatologic surgery at Good Dermatology and as the medical director of dermatology and cutaneous oncology at Science 37, Inc. Currently, he serves as the director of cutaneous oncology, dermatologic surgery, dermatology, and the high-risk skin cancer clinic at a medical school in Washington, DC, where he also serves as an associate professor of dermatology and oncology.

E-028773

Specialties:

Oncology