Hiding in Plain Sight: A Retrospective Review of Unrecognized Tumors During Dermatologic Surgery

Abstract

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery requires focused attention that may lead to tunnel vision bias, contributing to not recognizing skin cancer at nearby sites. Objective: It is to determine if a subsequently diagnosed skin cancer was visible at the time of Mohs surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at a single academic center from 2008 to 2020. Patients who underwent at least two distinct MMS procedures, separated in time to capture subsequent tumors, were included. Results: Four hundred and four individual patients were identified with at least two distinct Mohs procedures, which generated 1,110 Mohs sequences. Fifty-one (4.6%) clinically apparent tumors went unrecognized and 127 (11.4%) tumors were identified and biopsied during the visit. High-risk tumor histology was identified in 10 (20%) unrecognized tumors and 31 (24%) recognized tumors (p-value 0.491). Conclusion: Our study suggests that Mohs surgeons may be overlooking adjacent skin cancers when focusing only on the tumor being surgically treated. Tunnel vision bias may account for part of this phenomenon.

Comparative Analysis of Slow Mohs Surgery in Melanoma and Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma

“…MMS, which involves precise layer removal, extensive histologic examination, and reconstructive procedures, is a specialized field that demands scrupulous attention to every detail. However, a potential downside of this meticulousness is that the surgeon may develop tunnel vision bias and overlook a cancerous lesion in the same area of operation, causing a delay in the diagnosis that could increase the risk of complications, particularly for high-risk tumors [ 2 ]. MMS is considered the gold standard for treating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).…”