Mohs Surgery

Finding out that you have cancer can be a devastating moment in your life. Recent numbers show that one in every five Americans will probably develop skin cancer at some point in life. Since we don’t hear about skin cancers as much in the news as breast, colon, or lung cancer it may be surprising to learn that almost 80 percent of cancers are on the neck, scalp, or face. When cancer is found in these parts of the body, Mohs surgery is a technique that many doctors like to use if they can. Mohs surgery has improved the removal of cancerous tissue that used to be done only by excision. 

Mohs surgery is done to remove as much of the skin cancer as possible while doing minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It is a precise surgical technique that progressively removes layers of cancerous skin until only healthy tissue remains. Repeated procedures are done, typically as outpatient procedures, by using a local anesthetic. 

Mohs surgery is especially preferred by doctors when patients have cancer in areas where they want to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. As opposed to breast cancer where a mastectomy can be performed, when cancer is on the face or hairline, there is not an option to remove a large area of surrounding tissue. Mohs surgery is precise enough to target specific cancer tissue. Dermatologists are trained to perform Mohs, but many patients choose to trust a plastic surgeon who will partner with a cancer specialist. A plastic surgeon who specializes in Mohs surgery understands how the incisions can best be reconstructed for minimal scarring. 

If you are faced with having to undergo Mohs surgery, talk to your trusted plastic surgeon about using meticulous care during surgery.

Posted on behalf of Benjamin Stong, MD, Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC 

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