Dermatologic surgery is becoming precision oncology, not just  tumor excision

The most important conceptual  evolution  today is represented by  the integration of skin surgery with immunotherapy, targeted therapy and radiotherapy,a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach,   particularly suitable to  high-risk or locally advanced NMSC. The literature is  increasingly reporting Mohs and other margin-controlled techniques as one component of an integrated multidisciplinary treatment pathway, rather than an isolated surgical procedure.  

The updated 2026 European interdisciplinary guideline for invasive cutaneous SCC reinforces this multidisciplinary approach and the active role of the modern Dermatologic Surgeon within a  multidisciplinary tumor board, aiming at tailoring  the optimal sequence of surgery, systemic therapy and radiotherapy for each patient’s tumor. 

To accomplish this task, an important practical development is also  the availability of   better identification tools  of patients who require staging and surveillance imaging. 

A 2026 JAMA Dermatology consensus recommends imaging particularly for cSCCs with substantial metastatic risk—for example, bone invasion, extension beyond subcutaneous fat, large-caliber perineural invasion or tumors ≥4 cm. 

Catorze MGB, Filipe P. Innovations in Cutaneous Oncology and Dermatologic Surgery: From Margin Control to Integrated Precision Oncology. Cancers (Basel). 2026;18(4):670. doi:10.3390/cancers18040670. 

Stratigos AJ, Dessinioti C, Garbe C, et al. European consensus-based interdisciplinary guideline for invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Part 1: Diagnostics and prevention—Update 2026. Eur J Cancer.2026;243:116763. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2026.116763. 

Kassamali B, Schoenfeld JD, Sethi R, et al. Consensus Guidelines for Staging and Surveillance Imaging in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. JAMA Dermatol. 2026;162(9):939-947. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.2163.

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