Extramammary Paget Disease: Minimal Surgical Therapy

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is an uncommon malignant neoplasm affecting apocrine gland-bearing skin which usually occurs in the anogenital area of patients older than 50 years. Although Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is recommended for the treatment of EMPD, wide local excision has also been performed by many other surgeons including dermatosurgeons. However, the extent of an adequate resection margin is still under debate. OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of minimal surgical therapy consisting of a wide excision combined with preoperative multiple scouting biopsies and postoperative topical imiquimod was investigated for the treatment of EMPD in Korean patients. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2012, 10 patients with primary EMPD were treated with wide surgical excision, with a surgical margin of less than 2.5 cm. Multiple preoperative scouting biopsies and postoperative topical imiquimod were also performed to delineate the lesional boundaries and to reduce the recurrence rate. RESULTS: During the 6-year follow-up period, complications and recurrences were not observed. CONCLUSION: Minimal surgical therapy may be an effective alternative when MMS is unavailable.