Kennebec Region Health Alliance

I. Background:

Mohs surgery is a specialized form of skin cancer surgery that maximizes tissue preservation and offers high cure rates. In general, it is an excellent option for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and is the gold standard for NMSC lesions that meet specific criteria, such as those that are either larger in size, located on the head and neck, recurrent, aggressive on pathology, or clinically hard to delineate.

Authors: Jonathan Karnes, MD, Jill Colvin, MD, MDFMR Dermatology Services
2.12.16

Treatment Summary: Cutaneous warts are common in all age groups and often resolve spontaneously. There are many treatments for warts. No known treatment has greater than 60-70% clearance rate for a solitary wart over 6 months follow up. Some treatments can cause significant pain and morbidity. In general for the treatment of warts on non-facial and non-genital skin, we recommend a 4-6 month trial, of watchful waiting and expectant management may be a reasonable option for any wart not causing pain.

Liquid nitrogen is a very cold, liquid gas used to remove different kinds of skin lesions, such as warts and actinic keratoses. The liquid nitrogen forms an ice ball inside the treated skin. Within 30 minutes after the ice thaws, the treated skin containing the abnormal cells (for example, wart cells) will separate from the normal skin cells.

Instructions for use of Mediplast tape:

Materials needed:

1. Mediplast tape
2. Scissors
3. Elastoplast tape or Elastokon tape
4. Nail file or pumice stone

Your doctor has recommended use of 17% Salicylic Acid containing liquid as an effective treatment for warts. Proper and regular application of topical 17% Salicylic Acid is essential treatment for effective removal of warts. Follow instructions carefully and refer to package insert for more information.