A pilot feasibility study of a rare skin tumor database.
BACKGROUND
In the United States melanoma is the only individually reported skin cancer. There are no large state or national registries for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Nevertheless, rare, that is, nonmelanoma, nonepithelial, tumors can also be locally aggressive and metastasize.


OBJECTIVE
This study's purpose was to demonstrate that Mohs surgeons can share data to create a rare skin tumor database. This database may serve as a model for a nationwide database.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the surgery logs of five Mohs surgery practices in the Houston, Texas, area for rare-nonmelanoma, nonepithelial-skin cancers. A total of 42,279 biopsy-proven cancers of the skin treated with Mohs micrographic surgery were reviewed. Tumor data including type, prevalence, year of treatment, and the treating Mohs surgeon(s) were compiled and analyzed.


RESULTS
Forty-three types of rare tumors were identified. A total of 317 rare tumors were treated. No practice saw more than 28 rare tumor types. Atypical fibroxanthoma was the rare tumor most often treated.


CONCLUSIONS
Colleagues can cooperate to create a database of rare tumors removed by Mohs micrographic surgery. A range of tumors greater than that seen in any single practice is now available for study. This should provide the impetus for a nationwide rare skin tumor database.
Anderson
Heather L
HL
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Joseph
Aaron K
AK
D016208:Databases, Factual; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology