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Why Mohs Surgery is the Gold Standard for Treating Facial Skin Cancer

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Why Mohs Surgery is the Gold Standard for Treating Facial Skin Cancer

Mohs surgery is a specialized method of removing skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The procedure is performed by a trained Mohs surgeon, who meticulously removes the cancerous tissue layer by layer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The technique is known for its high success rate in completely removing the cancer and minimizing scarring. In this blog post, we will dive into the details of what Mohs surgery is, how it works, and its advantages over traditional skin cancer removal methods. We will also discuss who is a suitable candidate for the procedure, what to expect before, during, and after the surgery, and any risks and side effects associated with it.

 

What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a specialized procedure used to remove skin cancer, and involves the removal of the cancerous tissue layer by layer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. During the surgery, the surgeon removes a thin layer of skin, examines it under a microscope, and then removes additional layers as needed until all of the cancerous cells are removed. This process is repeated until the tissue being examined no longer contains cancer cells. The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia and allows the surgeon to see the exact borders of the skin cancer, ensuring that all the cancerous cells are removed while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

 

How Mohs surgery works

Mohs surgery is a multi-step process that begins with the removal of a thin layer of skin, known as a tissue sample, from the affected area. The tissue sample is then examined under a microscope by a trained Mohs surgeon to identify the presence of cancerous cells. If cancerous cells are found, the surgeon will then remove an additional layer of skin from the area and repeat the process of examining the tissue under a microscope. This process is repeated until the tissue being examined no longer contains cancerous cells. The technique is known as "frozen section analysis" and allows the surgeon to see the exact borders of the cancer and ensure that all the cancerous cells are removed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, meaning that the patient is awake during the surgery but the area being treated is numbed to minimize pain and discomfort. The entire process can take several hours, depending on the size and complexity of the cancer.

 

Mohs surgery is a specialized method of removing skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The procedure is performed by a trained Mohs surgeon, who meticulously removes the cancerous tissue layer by layer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The technique is known for its high success rate in completely removing the cancer and minimizing scarring. In this blog post, we will dive into the details of what Mohs surgery is, how it works, and its advantages over traditional skin cancer removal methods. We will also discuss who is a suitable candidate for the procedure, what to expect before, during, and after the surgery, and any risks and side effects associated with it. What is Mohs surgery? Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a specialized procedure used to remove skin cancer, and involves the removal of the cancerous tissue layer by layer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. During the surgery, the surgeon removes a thin layer of skin, examines it under a microscope, and then removes additional layers as needed until all of the cancerous cells are removed. This process is repeated until the tissue being examined no longer contains cancer cells. The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia and allows the surgeon to see the exact borders of the skin cancer, ensuring that all the cancerous cells are removed while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. How Mohs surgery works Mohs surgery is a multi-step process that begins with the removal of a thin layer of skin, known as a tissue sample, from the affected area. The tissue sample is then examined under a microscope by a trained Mohs surgeon to identify the presence of cancerous cells. If cancerous cells are found, the surgeon will then remove an additional layer of skin from the area and repeat the process of examining the tissue under a microscope. This process is repeated until the tissue being examined no longer contains cancerous cells. The technique is known as "frozen section analysis" and allows the surgeon to see the exact borders of the cancer and ensure that all the cancerous cells are removed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, meaning that the patient is awake during the surgery but the area being treated is numbed to minimize pain and discomfort. The entire process can take several hours, depending on the size and complexity of the cancer. Advantages of Mohs surgery Mohs surgery offers several advantages over traditional skin cancer removal methods. One of the major advantages is its high success rate in completely removing the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Because the surgeon is able to see the exact borders of the cancer during the procedure and remove it layer by layer, the chance of recurrence is minimal. Additionally, Mohs surgery can be used for larger or complex skin cancer cases, such as those that are located in areas where it's important to preserve healthy tissue or those that have been previously treated and recurred. It is also more effective in treating skin cancer that has a higher risk of recurrence or has spread to the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, it results in smaller and less visible scarring compared to other techniques. Who is a candidate for Mohs surgery? Mohs surgery is typically recommended for patients with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common types of skin cancer. The procedure is particularly useful for skin cancers located in areas where it is important to preserve healthy tissue, such as the face, hands, feet, or other visible areas of the body. It is also an appropriate option for skin cancers that have been previously treated and recurred, or those that have a higher risk of recurrence or have spread to the surrounding tissue. The decision to perform Mohs surgery is usually made by the patient in consultation with their dermatologist, taking into account factors such as the size, location, and aggressiveness of the cancer. Other considerations include the patient's overall health, the risks and benefits of the procedure, and the patient's preferences and expectations. What to expect before, during, and after the procedure Before the procedure, the patient will have a consultation with their Mohs surgeon to discuss the details of the surgery, including the risks and benefits, as well as the recovery process. The patient should inform the surgeon of any medications they are taking and if they have any allergies or medical conditions that may affect the surgery. During the procedure, the patient will be given local anesthesia to minimize pain and discomfort. The surgeon will then remove a thin layer of skin, examine it under a microscope, and remove additional layers as needed until all of the cancerous cells are removed. The process can take several hours, depending on the size and complexity of the cancer. After the procedure, the patient will be given instructions on how to care for the treated area to minimize the risk of infection and promote healing. The patient may experience some pain, swelling, and redness in the treated area, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses. The patient will also be given follow-up instructions, including when to return for suture removal, and when to schedule a follow-up appointment with their dermatologist to check on the healing progress. The recovery time can vary depending on the size and location of the cancer but it usually takes around 1-2 weeks. In conclusion, Mohs surgery is a specialized method of removing skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The procedure offers several advantages over traditional skin cancer removal methods, including high success rate in completely removing the cancer, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, and it can be used for larger or complex skin cancer cases. It is performed by a trained Mohs surgeon and uses frozen section analysis to ensure all cancerous cells are removed. It is typically recommended for patients with skin cancer located in areas where it is important to preserve healthy tissue or for those that have been previously treated and recurred. The decision to perform Mohs surgery is usually made by the patient in consultation with their dermatologist, taking into account factors such as the size, location, and aggressiveness of the cancer. Overall, Mohs surgery is an effective and minimally invasive option for removing skin cancer while minimizing scarring. Individuals with skin cancer should discuss this option with their dermatologist to determine if it is the right treatment for them.

Advantages of Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery offers several advantages over traditional skin cancer removal methods. One of the major advantages is its high success rate in completely removing the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Because the surgeon is able to see the exact borders of the cancer during the procedure and remove it layer by layer, the chance of recurrence is minimal. Additionally, Mohs surgery can be used for larger or complex skin cancer cases, such as those that are located in areas where it's important to preserve healthy tissue or those that have been previously treated and recurred. It is also more effective in treating skin cancer that has a higher risk of recurrence or has spread to the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, it results in smaller and less visible scarring compared to other techniques.

Who is a candidate for Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is typically recommended for patients with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common types of skin cancer. The procedure is particularly useful for skin cancers located in areas where it is important to preserve healthy tissue, such as the face, hands, feet, or other visible areas of the body. It is also an appropriate option for skin cancers that have been previously treated and recurred, or those that have a higher risk of recurrence or have spread to the surrounding tissue. The decision to perform Mohs surgery is usually made by the patient in consultation with their dermatologist, taking into account factors such as the size, location, and aggressiveness of the cancer. Other considerations include the patient's overall health, the risks and benefits of the procedure, and the patient's preferences and expectations.

What to expect before, during, and after the procedure

Before the procedure, the patient will have a consultation with their Mohs surgeon to discuss the details of the surgery, including the risks and benefits, as well as the recovery process. The patient should inform the surgeon of any medications they are taking and if they have any allergies or medical conditions that may affect the surgery.

 

During the procedure, the patient will be given local anesthesia to minimize pain and discomfort. The surgeon will then remove a thin layer of skin, examine it under a microscope, and remove additional layers as needed until all of the cancerous cells are removed. The process can take several hours, depending on the size and complexity of the cancer.

 

After the procedure, the patient will be given instructions on how to care for the treated area to minimize the risk of infection and promote healing. The patient may experience some pain, swelling, and redness in the treated area, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses. The patient will also be given follow-up instructions, including when to return for suture removal, and when to schedule a follow-up appointment with their dermatologist to check on the healing progress. The recovery time can vary depending on the size and location of the cancer but it usually takes around 1-2 weeks.

 

In conclusion, Mohs surgery is a specialized method of removing skin cancer, specifically basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The procedure offers several advantages over traditional skin cancer removal methods, including high success rate in completely removing the cancer, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, and it can be used for larger or complex skin cancer cases. It is performed by a trained Mohs surgeon and uses frozen section analysis to ensure all cancerous cells are removed. It is typically recommended for patients with skin cancer located in areas where it is important to preserve healthy tissue or for those that have been previously treated and recurred. The decision to perform Mohs surgery is usually made by the patient in consultation with their dermatologist, taking into account factors such as the size, location, and aggressiveness of the cancer. Overall, Mohs surgery is an effective and minimally invasive option for removing skin cancer while minimizing scarring. Individuals with skin cancer should discuss this option with their dermatologist to determine if it is the right treatment for them.

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