This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer. The researchers compared two treatments: superficial radiation therapy, known as SRT, and Mohs micrographic surgery, known as MMS. The study included data from 7,809 cases treated with SRT and 10,247 cases treated with MMS.
The main finding focused on local recurrence rates. The analysis showed that recurrence rates were lower for MMS compared with SRT. Specifically, the rate was 1.9% for MMS and 6.3% for SRT. This represents an absolute difference of 12%.
The statistical confidence for this result was high, with a p-value of .0013. The study did not report adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or tolerability issues. Because the evidence comes from a meta-analysis of existing cases, it provides a broad view of these two common options. Readers should note that this data reflects past outcomes and does not guarantee results for every individual.