Mohs Surgery
Understanding Mohs Surgery
What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery, named after Dr. Frederic Mohs, the physician who developed the technique, is a precise surgical technique used to treat common forms of skin cancer, including:
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
This method is highly precise, resulting in a 98-99% cure rate, making it the most effective treatment for many types of skin cancer.
What does Mohs Surgery involve?
Mohs surgery involves removing cancerous tissue in stages, while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. After each layer is removed, it is examined under a microscope to check for remaining cancer cells. This process is repeated in stages until all cancerous tissue is gone.
This surgical technique allows for:
- Complete skin cancer removal
- Minimal damage to the surrounding skin tissue
- Optimal cosmetic and medical outcomes
At Oak Dermatology, our board-certified Mohs surgeon, Dr. Ashish Bhatia, is a nationally recognized expert in Mohs surgery. His advanced training and techniques ensure the highest level of precision and care for every patient.
Mohs Treatment Overview
During Mohs surgery, local anesthesia is used to numb the affected area. The procedure begins by removing a thin layer of tissue from the site. This layer is then frozen, stained, and examined under a microscope to check for cancerous cells. This process is called a stage.
If cancer cells are still present, the surgeon removes additional tissue, one stage at a time. This process repeats until no cancer cells remain. This meticulous approach ensures the complete removal of cancer while preserving as much healthy surrounding skin as possible.
After the surgery:
Once the cancer has been fully removed, the surgeon will assess the wound and determine the appropriate repair method. Possible methods include:
- Allowing the wound to heal on its own (granulate)
- Using simple sutures to close the wound
- Performing more complex closures, such as using skin grafts or plastic surgery, depending on the size and location of the wound
Patients are provided with detailed wound care instructions to ensure proper healing. Following post-operative care instructions is essential for achieving the best cosmetic and medical outcome. This typically includes:
- Daily cleaning of the wound
- Application of prescribed ointment
- Covering with clean, appropriate bandages.
Mohs Surgery
FAQs
Local anesthesia is used to numb the area, making the procedure relatively painless.
The duration varies depending on the size and complexity of the tumor, but it typically takes several hours.
While scarring is possible, the goal of Mohs surgery is to minimize scarring by removing only the necessary tissue.
Post-operative care involves keeping the wound clean and protected. Healing time depends on the wound size and may require stitches or skin grafts.
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