Wide local excision (WLE) with 2 to 5 cm margins has been conventionally used for the treatment of superficial leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Because margin control is the strongest predictor of clinical recurrence, many dermatologic surgeons have recently recommended Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) over wide local excision (WLE) as the primary treatment modality.
To determine the aggregate rate of local recurrence after treatment of superficial LMS with MMS among the few reports in the literature.
A systematic literature search using the PubMed/MEDLINE database and the Cochrane Library was performed from inception to June 2017. One case report from our institution was included.
A meta‐analysis of 14 reports of 48 cases of superficial LMS treated with MMS showed a mean recurrence rate of 2.08% to 6.25% with a mean follow‐up period of 1570.9 days, compared to reported recurrence rates of 30% to 50% for WLE. Among these cases there were no reports of distant metastases.
Treatment of superficial leiomyosarcoma with MMS shows markedly lower rates of recurrence compared to reported rates of recurrence after WLE. Further prospective trials with larger sample sizes are needed to compare both modalities.
*Division of Dermatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York;
†Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: David Ciocon, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, or e-mail: dhciocon@gmail.com
The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
