If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas, two of the most common forms of skin cancer, your dermatologist will more than likely suggest treatment with Mohs micrographic surgery. The procedure is known to be the most efficient and cost-effective treatment method currently available. Not only does it have the highest cute rate, but patients can expect precise results with minimal scarring and recovery time.
If you have been selected as a candidate for Mohs micrographic surgery, it helps to know what you can expect before, during and after the procedure.
Before Your Mohs Surgery
The first step is to meet with an American College of Mohs Surgery certified surgeon who will review your case and help determine if the procedure is the most effective solution for your particular cancer. If surgery is decided as the best course of action, the surgeon will send you home with a date for your procedure and instructions to follow leading up to it.
What To Expect During Surgery
While you should clear your day for your procedure, it will be completed in an outpatient center or in the office of your doctor. In most cases, your appointment will be scheduled for early in the morning to give the surgeon plenty of time to remove all of the cancer and perform any necessary reconstruction. The area that the procedure will be performed on will be numbed with a local anesthetic and patients will remain awake for the entire surgery.
After you are numb, the tumor will be removed along with surrounding tissue to help prevent regrowth. The tumor is then viewed under a microscope to determine if there is cancer evident around the outside edges. If there is, more of the tumor’s surrounding tissue will be removed. These steps will be repeated until the surgeon no longer sees any signs of cancer.
After Mohs Surgery
After your Mohs micrographic surgery procedure, your surgeon will assess the remaining wound and your options for reconstruction. In most cases, reconstruction is performed the same day the cancer is removed.
Have questions about Mohs surgery? We are here to help. Give us a call to find out more about the procedure and if you are a candidate at 561.750.0544.
