What Is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?
Mohs surgery — also known as Mohs micrographic surgery — is a precise surgical technique to remove high-risk skin cancer. Specifically, Mohs surgery follows the Mohs technique, removing microscopic skin cancer cells layer by layer.
This procedure offers many benefits to patients, as it removes cancerous cells and preserves healthy tissue. Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure with little downtime and minimal scarring.
Ideal Candidates for Mohs Surgery
Anyone experiencing high-risk basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or some early types of melanoma can be a candidate for Mohs surgery. Mohs is ideal for all areas of the body, including the face, hands, scalp, ears, back and feet.
Our Mohs Surgical Process
Rendon Center offers Mohs surgery from board-certified dermatologists at our Boca Raton, Florida, clinic. If you are considering Mohs surgery, we have outlined what to expect in all stages of the process below.
Procedure
Mohs surgery can vary in length and may take several hours. Because the goal is to preserve as much healthy skin as possible, this procedure is done in stages instead of removing a large section at a time.
The treatment area will be numbed, and you will undergo active phases of thin tissue removal and inactive phases of rest as the dermatologist examines the extracted tissue.
The goal is to continue until the doctor receives a clear tissue sample free from cancer cells.
Recovery
As an outpatient surgery, Mohs surgery requires little downtime. Your doctor will have closed the wound with stitches unless it is shallow enough to heal on its own.
You can return to your job the next day, depending on the physical requirements of your occupation. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor. In general, you should avoid strenuous activities that can increase your heart rate and cause bleeding or bruising.
Your doctor will provide specific aftercare instructions, but it is best to keep your surgical site clean, dry and moisturized. You may have some minimal scarring that can be repaired with cosmetic procedures.
Contact Us to Schedule Mohs Surgery Near Orlando
At Rendon Center, our board-certified dermatologists provide leading-edge clinical and cosmetic solutions. We combine surgical techniques with innovative technology to ensure our patients receive the best care.
If you're ready to get started, reach out to our team today. We look forward to helping you on your way toward healing from skin cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mohs Surgery
You might have some scarring after your Mohs procedure. This technique was devised to minimize the amount of scarring that can occur from skin cancer treatment but there is still sometimes a need for reconstructive surgery. In some cases, a dermatologist will consult with a reputable plastic surgeon to provide follow-up care as needed to reduce surgical scars as much as possible. During your consultation for skin cancer treatment, your dermatologist should discuss their anticipated outcome in terms of scarring and how that aspect of treatment can be managed when the time comes.
The Mohs method is typically used for cancers that are high-risk for recurrence or those where aesthetic results are important. Although any surgery may leave a scar, Mohs will typically leave a much smaller scar than the alternatives, because less tissue is removed. In some cases, the scar may fade; if not, this small mark is usually corrected easily.
There are several types of skin cancer, so it is important for patients to have a biopsy done to determine which one they are dealing with. Once confirmed, our team can work with patients to help them determine which treatment is best for them. Many cancerous lesions are easily removed with a scalpel, but cancer can run deeper beneath the skin. Once the main portion is removed, the skin is biopsied to ensure all cancerous cells have been excised and the patient is officially cancer-free.
