Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for removing cancerous lesions from the skin.
Call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.
What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is a skin cancer treatment that involves removing a lesion layer by layer. The treatment is extremely precise. After removing each layer, your dermatologist at Heights Dermatology views the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
The goal of Mohs surgery is to remove all traces of cancer cells while damaging as little healthy tissue as possible.
What are the benefits of Mohs surgery?
The most common alternative to Mohs surgery is excision surgery, which involves removing the entire visible cancerous lesion and a small portion of the surrounding tissue. Not only does this traditional method remove healthy tissue, it also increases the risk of leaving behind trace cancer cells.
Some of the most common benefits of Mohs surgery include:
Highest possible cure rate
Compared with alternative treatments, Mohs surgery has a 99% cure rate for nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Less scarring
Most Mohs surgery procedures require smaller incisions than excision surgery. As a result, scarring with Mohs surgery is typically minimal. Heights Dermatology also offers laser treatment options to reduce any scarring you do experience after the procedure.
Lower risk of cancer recurrence
Because your Mohs surgeon examines each layer of tissue under a microscope after removal, they’re more likely to eliminate all traces of cancer than other treatments can offer.
Immediate results
Because Mohs surgery removes your entire cancerous lesion and all skin cancer cells in one treatment, you experience immediate results
Fast recovery
Compared with excision surgery, Mohs surgery typically involves less downtime. Most patients recover from surgery within one month.
Cost-effective treatment
Mohs surgery’s precision and low recurrence rate mean you generally need only one treatment. Alternative therapies, such as excision surgery, may result in more frequent and costly outpatient treatments.
Local anesthetic
Mohs surgery is minimally invasive and does not require general anesthesia. Your surgeon performs the procedure with a local anesthetic that numbs your skin.
What happens after Mohs surgery?
Swelling, bruising, and discomfort at the incision site are common for the first few days after surgery. To promote healing, you should avoid exercise, bending, and any other moderate physical activity for at least one week after the procedure. Your surgeon may remove your stitches about 10 days after surgery.
To learn more about Mohs surgery, call Heights Dermatology or schedule an appointment online today.
