What Is Mohs Surgery?
Sep 01, 2021
Worried about skin cancer? Consult immediately with a reputable dermatologist, such as those from Florida Dermatology, catering to various areas including Cocoa, Titusville, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach and Melbourne, FL, and others.
Otherwise known as Mohs micrographic surgery, Mohs is a procedure specifically for skin cancer treatment. What makes it unique from all other treatments and methods is that it enables the surgeon to see up to where the cancer has spread and at what point it stops. Apart from that, this high precision procedure is mostly preferred because of its high cure rate, making it the most effective treatment for skin cancer.
Mohs surgery is especially helpful in cases where the cancer cells affect areas with very little tissue underneath, such as the hands, ears, or eyelids.
Mohs surgery is conducted by a dermatologist. To be able to handle this kind of procedure, they must first undergo extensive training. That’s why it’s important that you only consult with reputable practices such as Florida Dermatology, which covers areas such as Cocoa, Titusville, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, and Melbourne, FL.
Depending on the extent of the skin cancer, Mohs surgery can be done simply in the doctor’s office or surgical suite for outpatients. This is typically the case unless more extensive surgery is required.
To determine the extent of the procedure, the dermatologist will first have to conduct a thorough examination of the patient’s condition. Anesthesia will have to be used to numb the surgical area, but it’s not the general anesthesia type that puts you to sleep. Therefore, you will be awake during the procedure.
The dermatologist will begin taking out layer by layer of skin until no more cancer cells are visible. Typically, smaller procedures only need a day to get their surgical wounds treated, but in some cases where a bigger area was involved, it may require more stitches or even a skin graft. If the wound is big, then it’s also possible that the dermatologist may refer the patient to another surgeon to properly close and treat the wound.
Candidates for Mohs surgery typically include those who have basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Specifically, Mohs surgery becomes warranted when the cancer cells are aggressive or are impacting a large area. It’s also recommended for those afflicted with cancer cells in specific areas such as the hand, foot, scalp, genitals, eyelid, or nose.
Also, if the patient has already received previous treatment for the skin cancer, but then it still returned, then Mohs surgery is the next best step to take in order to finally get it treated once and for all.
Consult with a dermatologist from Florida Dermatology for areas such as Titusville, Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach and Melbourne, FL, and others. You may also call at (321) 768-1600 for more details.