title: Dense inflammation does not mask residual primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs micrographic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Areas of dense inflammation are commonly removed during Mohs micrographic surgery for basal cell carcinoma because of the concern that they may mask areas of tumor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to determine whether inflammation masks tumor during Mohs surgery for primary basal cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five consecutive cases of primary basal cell carcinoma with areas of dense inflammation encountered during Mohs surgery were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Ber-EP4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In no cases did the dense inflammation mask residual tumor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dense inflammation does not mask primary basal cell carcinoma during Mohs surgery and should be carefully evaluated before additional surgery is performed.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, USA.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Helm
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Billingsley
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Maloney
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin; C115012:human epithelial antigen-125; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm