We are having a discussion here at work. Is it preferable to do a punch bx on a limb instead of a mohs for basal cell carcinoma?
I'm sorry, that's not the discussion we're having in the nurses station. Some do a punch bx to remove a basal cell carcinoma on a limb and some use a mohs to cut it out. We want to know the effectiveness of both procedures, the recurrence & agressiveness of the lesions after each procedure and the preferred methods.
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
They are two different things a punch BX is just a biopsy Mohs is surgery.
EDIT: Well, as I said a punch BX is just a biopsy and may not remove all of the tumor, but let’s say it did Mohs wins hands down. Even with recurrent BCC and SCC it has a success rate of 95% and is generally the preferred method. Although, I do know an excellent oncology surgeon who is not all that thrilled with this procedure, I’m not sure why. Mohs takes longer and is more complex as it is microscopically mapped and requires the skill of a surgeon. A punch biopsy can be done by just about anyone. Aggressiveness has more to do with the histology and grade of the cancer rather than the procedure.