A Case of Primary Mucinous Carcinoma of the Scalp Treated With Mohs Surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin is a rare sweat gland malignancy that is associated with locally aggressive behavior and a high rate of local recurrence following simple excision. OBJECTIVE: A patient with primary mucinous carcinoma of the scalp, which was treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), is described. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: The patient underwent MMS to remove the tumor. Thirty months after the procedure, the patient remains tumor free. CONCLUSION: Simple excision of primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin is associated with a high recurrence rate. Given the low rate of metastasis and characteristic histologic tumor continuity associated with primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin, as well as the tendency for the tumor to involve cosmetically sensitive areas, such as the face and eyelids, MMS appears to represent a preferable treatment alternative for this particular sweat gland tumor. MMS appears to be associated with a very low risk of tumor recurrence.