When Should You See a Mohs Surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland?

When do you need to see a Mohs surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland? What is Mohs surgery?

What makes the surgery so successful? The experts have weighed in on why this might be the best treatment for you.

Who Benefits From Mohs Surgery?

A skin cancer diagnosis is alarming to say the least, but the good news is with treatments like Mohs surgery, the cure rate is incredibly high.

This surgery is for patients who’ve been diagnosed with skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It is also used to treat patients with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), Merkel cell carcinoma, or extramammary Paget’s disease.

Mohs surgery is also sometimes used for patients with early stage melanoma as well as for those with aggressive or large tumors and those with little tissue underneath, such as on the eyelids, scalp, genitals, hands, or feet.

What Should I Expect During My Mohs Surgery Appointment?

Before treatment begins, you will be examined by a Mohs surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland. Afterward, you’ll be given an anesthetic to numb the treatment area. You’ll be awake and alert during the procedure.

Once the area is numb, the surgeon will cut the visible cancer, as well as remove a thin layer of the surrounding skin. The site will be bandaged and you’ll sit comfortably while your surgeon examines the skin that has been removed.

Why Does the Surgeon Perform This Second Examination?

This is done to determine if there are cancer cells. If so, you’ll need more skin removed. This process will continue until the surgeon no longer sees any cancer cells. Afterward, your surgeon may use stitches to close up the area if necessary.