Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents the second most common type of skin cancer. SCC originates from the atypical proliferation of the cells of the epidermis's spinous layer and is more frequent in men over 50 years of age, with a low skin phototype and history of sun exposure. We describe the case of a 61-year-old man, previously healthy, with a lesion presenting fast and exuberant growth on the face. The anatomopathological and immunohistochemical exams confirmed the diagnosis of moderately differentiated SCC.

Keywords: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell; Skin Neoplasms

INTRODUCTION: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) can achieve high cure rates in skin cancer treatment and remove as little healthy tissue as possible.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery and to assess predictive factors for a higher number of surgical phases.
METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study conducted in a reference service for micrographic surgery from 2013 to 2019. The medical records of 230 patients (256 lesions) were reviewed.
RESULTS: Injuries with recurrence had significantly more stages than injuries without recurrence (1.69 stages versus 1.31 stages). Tumors greater than 2 cm had a greater number of phases than those smaller than 1 cm and between 1.1 and 2.2 cm (2.0 versus 1.08 and 1.22, respectively). When comparing the locations of the lesions with the number of phases, there was no significant difference. There was a considerable difference regarding the preoperative histological subtypes: aggressive basal cell carcinomas (BCC) required a higher number of phases than non-aggressive BCCs.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates, corroborating data from the literature, that the risk factors described are directly related to a greater number of stages of Mohs micrographic surgery.

Keywords: Mohs Surgery; Skin Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Surg Cosmet