Mohs micrographic surgery for lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma using mel-5 immunostaining: An update from the University of Minnesota

Background Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is gaining acceptance as a treatment for lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM), especially with the use of melanocyte-staining immunohistochemical (IHC) stains. In 2006, we reported our 4-year experience with Mel-5 immunostaining, with only one recurrence noted in 200 patients after a mean follow-up of 38.4 months.¹ Objectives We present an update regarding our 13-year experience with the use of Mel-5. Methods and Materials Patients with primary or recurrent LM or LMM (n = 260) underwent MMS with Mel-5; 174 were followed up to evaluate for recurrence, with a mean follow-up of 34 months. The 200 patients described in the initial case series from 1999 to 2003 were also followed. Results Of the 460 patients treated from January 1999 to December 2011, five recurrences were noted in four patients; one in the initial case series and four in this new, updated series, including one re-recurrence from the initial series. One melanoma-related death occurred in a patient intermittently lost to follow-up. Conclusion MMS with Mel-5 immunostaining continues to yield excellent results in the treatment of LM and LMM.