Mohs Micrographic Surgery

What is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

Mohs surgery is a specialized surgical procedure designed for the complete removal of recurring or delicate skin tumors. This technique involves microscopically tracking cancer cell extension during the surgery.

Am I a Good Candidate?

You might be a good candidate for Mohs micrographic surgery if you have certain types of skin cancer, particularly in areas where preserving as much healthy tissue as possible is important, such as the face, nose, eyelids, or other delicate areas. Specific situations where Mohs surgery is often recommended include:

• Recurrent Skin Cancers: If your skin cancer has returned after previous treatment.
• Large or Aggressive Tumors: For cancers that are particularly large or growing rapidly.
• Poorly Defined Edges: When the borders of the cancer are not well-defined.
• High-Risk Locations: Tumors located in areas where cosmetic or functional outcomes are crucial, like the face, hands, feet, or genitals.
• Certain Types of Skin Cancer: Primarily basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are known to have high success rates with Mohs surgery.

Your overall health, the specific characteristics of your skin cancer, and your medical history will also play a role in determining if Mohs surgery is the best option for you. It’s essential to consult with a dermatologist or a Mohs surgeon to evaluate your condition and discuss the most appropriate treatment plan.

Benefits:

• High Cure Rates: Offers long-term cure rates of approximately 99% for most skin cancers, ensuring thorough removal of cancerous cells.
• Tissue Preservation: Minimizes the removal of healthy tissue, which is particularly important in cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas like the face.
• Precision: Allows for precise tracking of cancer cell extensions during surgery, ensuring complete removal while preserving as much normal tissue as possible.
• Reduced Recurrence: Lower risk of cancer recurrence due to the meticulous examination of the tissue margins during the procedure.
• Immediate Results: Surgeons can verify the complete removal of cancerous cells during the procedure itself, reducing the need for additional treatments.
• Cosmetic Outcomes: Enhances cosmetic and functional outcomes by preserving healthy tissue, especially in delicate areas such as the nose, eyelids, and other parts of the face.
• Safety: Performed under local anesthesia, reducing the risks associated with general anesthesia.
• Experienced Surgeons: Typically conducted by highly trained and experienced surgeons who specialize in this procedure, ensuring high standards of care.
• Follow-Up Care: Comprehensive post-operative care and monitoring to catch any potential recurrences early and provide timely treatment.

More Details:

Mohs surgery is the ideal surgical procedure for the complete removal of recurring or delicate tumors by microscopically tracking cancer cell extension during the procedure as the tissue is processed and examined by our surgeons before the final closure. Mohs surgery allows the preservation of as much of the normal skin surfaces.
For most skin cancers long term curates are in the range of 99 % using this technique. Our skin surgeons have performed over 5000 surgeries for skin cancer removal and reconstruction particularly on the delicate areas, such as the nose, eyelids, and the rest of the face. A person who has had one skin cancer may still be at risk of developing another. Patients cured of skin cancer should continue to examine their skin every 6 to 8 weeks, have follow-up examinations as advised, and avoid overexposure to the sun.

Basal Cell Carcinoma after Mohs surgery and skin graft.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Mohs surgery and skin graft

Defect after Mohs surgery repaired with skin flap