Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for the two most common types of skin cancer. When it comes to skin cancer, you want the best Mohs surgeon in Denton. Here’s what you need to know about this procedure.
What is Mohs?
Mohs, or Mohs micrographic surgery, is a technique started by Frederic E. Mohs, MD, in the late 1930s. It was originally called chemosurgery. This procedure is a technique for removing skin cancer. The procedure is done in stages, including lab work, while the patient waits. This allows the provider to remove all the cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissue and leaving the smallest possible scar. Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rate.
Can Any Dermatologist Perform Mohs Surgery?
No. Only specially trained doctors perform Mohs surgery. The surgeons receive specialized training in order to be able to remove the cancerous tissue, analyze lab specimens and closer or reconstruct the wound.
Benefits of Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Denton
Mohs is a very cost-effective treatment. The provider performs the surgery in a single outpatient visit. It’s done under local anesthesia and all lab work is done on site.
Another advantage of Mohs surgery is that it offers extremely precise results. Physicians can examine 100% of tumor margins, spare healthy tissues, and leave the smallest scar possible.
Finally, Mohs has the highest cure rate. Up to 99% cure rate for skin cancer that has not been treated before and up to 94% for skin cancer that has recurred after previous treatment.
What Happens During Mohs Surgery
First, your surgeon will examine you and prepare the treatment area. This includes injecting local anesthesia which will numb you completely. You will be awake during the entire procedure.
Using a scalpel, the surgeon removes a thin layer of visible cancerous tissues. The surgeon analyzes this layer in a lab and identifies where the cancerous cells are located. Then the surgeon removes the next layer and analyzes it. This continues until all the cancerous cells are gone.
After the cancer cells are removed, the surgeon will repair or close the wound. The way this is done depends on the size and location. Sometimes, the wound may be closed with stitches or left open to heal. In more extreme cases, a reconstruction flap is grafted into the area.
Board Certified Mohs Surgeon Denton
Mohs surgery is the gold standard. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, you need Mohs surgery. Let our skin cancer specialists help you. Our providers are highly skilled and specially trained to perform Mohs surgery. Contact Cronin Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today to learn more about Mohs and see if its right for you.