Keratoacanthoma treatment options. Is Mohs the only treatment option?

Question

A few years ago i had a keratoacanthoma on nose. By the time it was removed it had grown to marble size. The result i needed a para flap surg. Unfortunately another has popped up on the other nostril. This time i knew what it was and saw a derm two weeks after it surfaced. The derm just took a biopsy and is rec Mohs again. I have read these things can be frozen especially if caught early ( right now its pretty small). However, the Derm wants to go w Mohs again.

Kristine Romine, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. If the biopsy came back as a keratoacanthoma
skin cancer, then your dermatologist was correct in recommending Mohs
surgery.  While treating pre-cancers with
liquid nitrogen is a viable treatment option, treating a skin cancer with
liquid nitrogen alone is ineffective as the liquid nitrogen does not penetrate
the skin deep enough to ensure destruction of all cancerous cells.  The likelihood of the skin cancer growing
back after treatment with liquid nitrogen is much higher when compared to the
gold standard treatment of Mohs surgery. 
At my practice, I do offer Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) as an
alternative to Mohs for patients who are not good surgical candidates (i.e.
those who are on blood thinners, have poor wound healing, are unable to care
for a wound, etc.).  I would consult with
your board certified dermatologist and come up with a treatment plan that is
right for you and your skin cancer.

Ariel Ostad, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I am sorry you have to deal with this again. As an experienced Mohs surgeon, I highly recommend the Mohs method to treat KA's.  These lesions closely resemble Squamous Cell Carcinomas and is a variant of this type of skin cancer.  Squamous and basal cells all have roots so unless it is a superficial lesion or it says it is resolving on the biopsy report, Mohs is the best treatment option.Good luck.Best, Ariel Ostad MD PC

Keratoacanthoma treatment options. Is Mohs the only treatment option?

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Keratoacanthoma treatment options. Is Mohs the only treatment option?

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Mohs Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.