Pioneered in the 1930s in the USA by Dr Frederic Mohs (1910–2002), Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly effective means of treating certain types of primary skin cancer, most commonly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These occur most frequently on the head and neck, with clinically invisible microscopic extensions, or situated on critical anatomical structures such as the nose, eyelid, lip or ear. It is vital to remove all the tumour to prevent recurrence, yet also desirable to minimise loss of normal skin tissue to avoid cosmetically unsightly wounds. The Thermo Scientific Cryostar cryostat can help to optimise workflow and throughput in the modern Mohs clinic, enabling more patients to be seen per clinic session.
The precise temperature control allows the user to change the temperature of both the blade
and specimen head rapidly and independently. This allows the use of customised settings for
different types of tissue to give optimum quality sections. Its integrated, motorised height
adjustment suits individual user preferences, while the cryostat chamber is not as cold as
conventional ‘cooled cabinets’ and as a result is more pleasant for the operator.
The Mohs clinic at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, found that introducing the NX70
cryostat has helped reduce clinic time, and treat more patients. See page 37. For more
information visit www.thermofisher.com/pathology or email [email protected]