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Mohs surgery is a revolutionary skin cancer treatment with a cure rate of over 99%. The board-certified dermatologists at Skin Care Specialists in Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale, Arizona, can examine your skin cancer and determine if Mohs surgery is the right choice for treatment. To learn more about how Mohs surgery works and the advantages of the technique, call Skin Care Specialists or request an appointment online today.
Mohs Surgery Q&A
How does Mohs surgery work?
Mohs micrographic surgery is an advanced surgical technique for removing skin cancer in its entirety. After numbing the area with local anesthesia, your Mohs surgeon removes a thin, visible portion of the skin cancer and proceeds to examine the skin under a microscope. This allows them to visualize where the cancer is and isn’t.
Your surgeon repeats this process repeatedly until they no longer detect cancerous cells in the area. Because they use a microscope for an up-close view of your skin cells, they can remove even the smallest microscopic roots of skin cancer. Once all of the cancer is removed, they may repair the skin with stitches or a small graft. If the wound is small enough, it can heal on its own.
One of Mohs surgery’s main advantages is that it preserves as much healthy skin as possible around a cancerous lesion. It’s different from excision, which removes a margin of healthy skin around a cancerous lesion, too. Still, excision is the more suitable option in some cases.
Which types of skin cancer does Mohs surgery treat?
Skin Care Specialists use Mohs surgery because of its high cure rate, even in cases where other treatments have failed. The team might recommend Mohs surgery to treat:
Basal cell carcinoma
The most common skin cancer type, basal cell carcinoma originates deep in the epidermis. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other areas of your body. It can take on a waxy or shiny appearance or look like an unusual lesion.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma originates in the upper layers of your skin. Left untreated, it can spread to other areas of your body. It typically looks like an unusual sore, bump, or growth.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most severe of the three most common skin cancer types. It originates in your skin’s melanocytes, which are the cells that create skin pigment. It can affect an existing mole or cause a new mole to appear.
How should I prepare for Mohs surgery?
Before Mohs surgery, the team might advise you to stop taking certain medications and make sure you eat before surgery. They also advise you to clear your schedule for the day as they can’t predict how long Mohs surgery will take.
Call Skin Care Specialists or book an appointment online to find out if Mohs surgery can treat your skin cancer today.