Chemosurgical Treatment of Cancer of the Face and Related Structures.Dr. Henry A. Szujewski (by invitation).
Chemosurgery for the treatment of cancer of the face and related structures has been in use for a period of 10 to 15 years and was originated by Dr. Fred Mohs (Mohs, F. E.: Chemosurgery: A Microscopically Controlled Method of Cancer Excision, Arch. Surgery 42:279 [Feb.] 1941). The method consists of the application of certain chemicals (zinc chloride + sanguinaria + stibnite) which fix in situ the tissue and prepare it for microscopic examination. Surgery consists of the actual excision by scalpel of tissue for microscopic examination at the time of surgery. This process is continued until all tumor tissue has been removed.First dichloracetic acid is applied to soften the keratin which usually accompanies tumor growth. A mixture of chemicals (zinc chloride + sanguinaria + stibnite) is then applied and left in place for 24 hours under