What is Moh’s Surgery?
The Danger of Skin Cancer
Are you at risk of skin cancer? The most common cancer in the United States, skin cancer affects one in five Americans, and about 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this disease each day. Catching skin cancer early improves your chances of successful treatment, and there are several different types of treatments available. One of the most advantageous treatments is Mohs surgery, used to treat skin cancer without damaging the healthy skin around it. This treatment is used for basal and squamous cell cancers, as well as other skin cancers that are in sensitive or cosmetically significant areas.
What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery, also called Mohs micrograph surgery, is a treatment for cancer that removes cancer while preserving healthy tissue. Named for the Frederick Mohs, the doctor who developed it in the 1930s, this treatment involves removing layers of skin, one at a time, examining them under a microscope to check for cancer. Even though newer treatments have been developed in the decades since the development of Mohs surgery, it is still considered the most effective treatment for basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. This procedure offers two crucial benefits. First, it has a high cure rate. Additionally, it allows patients to keep as much healthy skin as possible, losing only the skin with cancer cells.
How is Mohs Surgery Performed?
Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed while the patient is awake and alert. After administering local anesthetic, the surgeon begins the procedure by cutting out the visible skin cancer, followed by a thin layer of surrounding skin. The patient is then bandaged, and can wait comfortably while the surgeon examines the tissue under a microscope, looking for more cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, another thin layer of skin is removed. This process is repeated until there are no more cancer cells. Mohs surgery is unique in that the cancer is assessed during the procedure, and the patient does not need to wait for a biopsy to come back from a laboratory. Once the cancer is removed, the surgeon decides whether or not the wound needs stitches. Some wounds require stitches, while others don’t need stitches to heal well, and some require a skin graft or further surgery.
Benefits of Mohs Surgery
Aside from the ability to assess cancer during surgery, Mohs offers many additional benefits. Because the surgeon removes only the cancerous tissue, this procedure minimizes potential scarring and protects healthy skin. It is also a relatively inexpensive form of treatment because it doesn’t require a hospital stay, and because it is done under local anesthetic, it is also low-risk. The most significant benefit, however, is the cure rate. When used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, Mohs surgery offers a 95 percent cure rate.
Trust Swinyer-Woseth With All Your Skin Care Needs
Whether you need an annual skin exam, you are concerned about skin cancer because you have found a suspicious spot, or you’re interested in determining whether you’re a good candidate for Mohs surgery, make an appointment for a consultation with Swinyer-Woseth Dermatology. We’re committed to providing superior, professional skin care in a manner that’s practical, efficient, and compassionate. With over 30 years of experience providing dermatological services in Salt Lake City, we provide a variety of services, from cosmetic skincare to treatment for skin cancer. Our team of board- certified dermatologists and licensed cosmetic service providers are here to provide you the care you need in a comfortable, professional atmosphere. Call (801) 682-4715 or contact us through our website.