The Melanoma Society of South Africa recently hosted a Skin Cancer Symposium in Cape Town. The Symposium was attended by Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons, Oncologists and Pathologists involved in the treatment of skin cancer. Dr de Wet was invited to speak on the importance of full margin control in Melanoma and non-Melanoma skin cancer surgery.
Dr de Wet discussed recent updates to the American and European guidelines on skin cancer treatment. Both these guidelines recommend Mohs Surgery as the preferred treatment for high-risk keratinocyte carcinomas. This includes basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma at high risk for recurrence and metastatic disease and occurring in cosmetic and functionally important areas. The movement towards complete margin control surgery (Mohs Surgery) is supported by overwhelming evidence that it is associated with higher cure rates and better cosmetic and functional outcomes.
The concept of full margin control surgery is also recommended for early melanoma skin cancers occurring in chronically sun exposed sites.
One concern is that the availability of Mohs Surgery in South Africa remains limited. Dr de Wet, a fellowship trained Mohs Surgeon, offers this gold standard and world class treatment to suitable candidates in Somerset West.