Mohs Surgery

Mohs Surgery

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MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY

asms-transparent-2New treatments for skin cancer are appearing and evolving rapidly in recent years. However one surgical technique has more than stood the test of time. Developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs in the 1930s, Mohs micrographic surgery has, with a few refinements, come to be embraced over the past decade by an increasing number of surgeons for an ever-widening variety of skin cancers.

Today, Mohs surgery has come to be accepted as the single most effective technique for removing Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carinoma, the two most common skin cancers. It accomplishes the sparing of the greatest amount of healthy tissue while also most completely expunging cancer cells. Cure rates are unparalleled 98 percent or higher with Mohs, significantly better than the rates for standard excision or any other accepted method.

MOHS SURGERY PROCEDURE

Mohs Surgery is safe and effective, performed on an outpatient basis in your doctor's office. It may be performed by a team of highly trained specialists who each focus on different parts of treatment, or one experienced Mohs surgeon well-quipped to perform the entire procedure. During the Mohs Surgery procedure, the affected area is numbed with a local anesthetic. Small layers of skin are removed and the the area is closely examined to see if the cancer has been thoroughly eradicated.

The procedure itself can be performed in three or less stages, estimating less than four hours to perform. However, some cases may take longer as there is no way to predict the cancer growth prior to treatment. Patients should arrange for a ride home after the procedure has been completed.

RECOVERY AND RESULTS FROM MOHS SURGERY

After Mohs surgery, patients may experience mild discomfort, bruising and swelling around the treated area. Your surgeon may recommend pain relievers after the procedure to help manage any pain.

Patients can expect scaring to take place after Mohs surgery one the area is healed, with most scars being very small in size. For patients concerned with the appearance of their skin after treatment, reconstructive procedure is an option to reduce and in some instances remove the scaring. These procedures may be performed at the time of Mohs surgery or at a later date.

RISKS OF MOHS SURGERY

As with any surgical procedure, Mohs surgery carries risks. Some of these risks include bleeding from the wound, bleeding into the wound, pain or tenderness around the surgical site, and infection. Infection is uncommon, but can usually be treated with oral antibiotics.

Other complications that may result from Mohs surgery are uncommon but may include, temporary or permanent numbness, temporary or permanent weakness, inching, or enlarged scar.
Patients can reduce the risk of complications by choosing an experienced Mohs surgeon to perform their treatment, and by following the surgeon's instructs after the procedure.
To learn more about the benefits of Mohs surgery, please call our office today to schedule a consultation and find out if this procedure is right for you.

 

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