How Mohs Surgery Can Treat Skin Cancer Effectively

Dr. Fredric Mohs, from the University of Wisconsin, developed the Mohs surgical technique in 1938. For decades, it has been used successfully to save healthy tissue. Mohs surgery has the best cure rates and lowest recurrence rates when fighting skin cancer. Skin cancer is a growing problem that affects five million people each year in the United States. Early detection of skin cancer is a critical factor in preventing disfigurement and death from a variety of types of skin cancer. Mohs micrographic surgery is the most effective form of skin cancer treatment and allows the patient to keep as much healthy skin around the tumor as possible.

What should I expect during this skin cancer treatment?

The Mohs micrographic surgery technique involves removing layers of skin, one layer at a time, to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. This is done by examining the layers under a microscope during the procedure. In this way, the surgeon is able to determine where areas of abnormal cells end. The surgeon can preserve healthy tissue and limiting damage to the appearance of the skin. A reconstructive surgeon can then repair areas of the skin that show evidence of tissue removal to reduce scarring.

For many decades, Mohs micrographic surgery has been the preferred method for treating squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Greater refinements in the technique have now made it possible for it to be used in melanoma, a more serious form of skin cancer. Patients who wish to maintain their appearance as much as possible, while still removing the abnormal cells of skin cancer, often appreciate preservative qualities of this technique.

The surgeon removes the cancerous tissue. He then maps the tissue and performs a microscopic exam on the edges of the tissue to determine that they are cancer free. The doctor can examine each layer of cells under a microscope. This is because some cancers that look small have actually penetrated deeply into the skin. When all the cancerous cells have been removed, the area of skin that was operated on is repaired and the surgery is over. Depending on the extent of the surgery needed, the doctor can use skin grafts, stitches or let the wound heal by itself. If any cancer remains on the edges, more tissue is removed from the precise spots shown by the mapping and microscopic exam. This process is repeated until there is no more cancer on the edges of the samples. The immediate microscopic exams allow the surgeon to be able to remove all of the cancer while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Patients with squamous cell carcinoma have the highest cure rate with Mohs surgery. The cure rate with Mohs is as high as 99%. Patients with basal cell carcinoma will have the lowest rates of recurrence if Mohs is used. Mohs surgery is an excellent option for many patients fighting skin cancers of many types.

Most patients undergo Mohs surgery with local anesthesia which is applied prior to surgery. Mohs surgery is effective for patients who have cancer that grows very quickly and is especially effective for people who suffer from squamous cell skin cancer. This treatment is beneficial to patients who are at risk for their cancer returning or metastasizing to remote parts of the body. In addition, this treatment is utilized for skin cancer that appear on the face or other highly visible places which are particularly delicate. Mohs surgery is also performed when the cancer is large, has been treated but has returned or if the patient is a child. This technique allows patients to have a minimized surgical wound once the procedure has ended. A minimized wound will help patients to have minimized scarring.

When is Mohs micrographic surgery most appropriate?

Mohs surgery does take longer than other forms of treatment. It is, however, much more effective in many cases. The amounts of tissue removed are smaller. This leads to less scarring, faster healing, and fewer infections. It is also known that the cancer has been completely removed before surgery is finished and the wound is closed. This prevents recurrence and the need for repeated surgery.

Skin cancer is a serious matter. If you are fighting with skin cancer, talk to your dermatologist today. Mohs surgery offers the best chance for a complete cure with the smallest surgery possible.

Mohs surgery is appropriate for people who wish to get rid of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Both of these forms of skin cancer are extremely prevalent. Mohs surgery is often chosen because it saves high amounts of skin tissue while simultaneously removing cancer cells.

Many people who have skin cancer choose to get Mohs micrographic surgery because of its strong recovery rates. Patients with BCC and SCC often have recovery rates of at least 98 percent with Mohs surgery. The cure rates are markedly stronger than those of other traditional excision techniques.

People who are interested in outpatient treatment plans should also consider Mohs micrographic surgery. When people receive these surgeries for skin cancer, they typically get local anesthesia. The ultimate objective of Mohs surgery is to get rid of skin that consists of cancer until all of it is 100 percent healthy and devoid of problematic cells.

The effectiveness of Mohs in treating skin cancer

Mohs surgery enables skin cancer surgeons to confirm that all of the hazardous cancer cells have indeed been successfully extracted during the procedure. The ability to have confirmation makes the chances of curing the cancer significantly stronger – a serious plus. At the same time, the confirmation also frequently stops patients from requiring any extra skin cancer surgeries or treatments. Individuals who want to get rid of skin cancer efficiently and smoothly might greatly appreciate Mohs micrographic surgery as a treatment option.

If you have skin cancer and think that this type of surgery might be a good choice for you, it’s your job to find a reliable and experienced cosmetic surgeon. Make sure you find a surgeon who has extensive experience in performing Mohs surgery procedures on skin cancer patients, as well.

Skin cancer is a very serious disease that can be lethal. Individuals with cancer have a number of treatment options they can employ to give them the best chance to beat the disease and continue with a long and healthy life. One of the more popular treatments for skin cancer is Mohs Surgery.

Where on the body can this procedure be performed?

Some believe that Mohs surgery is a procedure that can only be performed on the facial or neck area, this is untrue. This surgical procedure is not just limited to the facial area; it can also be used on the:

 scalp

 hands

 genitals

 feet

 or even other places that have been affected by skin cancer

Consult with a cosmetic plastic surgeon

This type of procedure should only be performed by a surgical skin cancer professional. A highly trained and skilled reconstructive surgeon would be an excellent choice to perform this surgery. This procedure requires an individual that’s highly skilled and has been properly trained.

Choosing the right procedure and surgeon can help you to live a healthy and cancer-free life with limited scarring.