Background: Atypical fibroxanthoma is a locally aggressive cutaneous tumor of the head and neck. Reported treatments include simple excision, cryosurgery, radiation, and cutaneous micrographic surgery.
Objective: We wish to further document the use of cutaneous micrographic surgery for local control of atypical fibroxanthoma.
Methods: A retrospective study of six cases from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a review of the literature.
Results: Five (84%) of our cases were on the heads of elderly patients with strong evidence of photodamage. Subclinical extension of atypical fibroxanthoma required surgical margins averaging 9 mm. Cutaneous micrographic surgery has been associated with no recurrences.
Conclusion: The results of our data demonstrate cutaneous micrographic surgery to be an excellent modality to address this locally aggressive tumor. Cutaneous micrographic surgery is an advantageous therapy for this tumor because of its meticulous tissue removal, tissue mapping, and tissue sparing qualities.