Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is probably the best, most successful, and intricate procedure to treat less invasive forms of skin cancer, like basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer. The Mohs technique of cancer treatment allows the surgeon to see what is below the visible skin cancer so that the entire tumor is removed, even the part that grows beneath the surface of the skin. This greatly decreases the likelihood of recurring cancer. The procedure is extremely precise. By removing the tumor in layers, the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor is unaffected.
Types of Skin Cancer that Mohs Surgery can Help
1. Basal Cell Cancer – This is the most common type of skin cancer. It may appear as a shiny bump or knot or a sore that is slow to heal. They often resemble pimples or rashes. Luckily this type of skin cancer does not get into the blood, but if left alone long enough it can turn into a deformity on the skin. Mohs surgery is perfect for this type of tumor. It is easily removed in layers and the procedure leaves very little scar tissue, thus no reminders of skin cancer.
2. Squamous Cell Cancer – This type of skin cancer is found most commonly on the arms and face and is the second most prevalent type of skin cancer after basal cell. This type of tumor often looks like a wart or a dry patch of skin. The difference between this and basal cell cancer is that there is a 2% chance that it can get into the blood and the lymph nodes, and possibly become life threatening. This generally only occurs in carcinomas that are large or have been treated previously and come back.
3. Mohs micrographic surgery is not commonly used for melanoma. Melanomas are usually removed with an excision so that some of the non-cancerous skin surrounding it can be removed also. Mohs can be used for smaller melanomas on the face because of its ability to minimize scarring, but not every doctor agrees that Mohs is the right way to get rid of melanoma.
Why Mohs over Excision
The Mohs procedure includes a search of the surrounding area with a microscope, making it easy to find the roots of the tumor. It provides the patient with the best chance of getting rid of the tumor completely and the least chance of leaving a scar. The Mohs procedure is perfect when:
· The area in which the cancer is located is on the face, fingers, toes or genitals. These are delicate areas where other procedures may leave a scar;
· Scar tissues already exists where the tumor is located;
· The cancer was treated already but has returned;
· The cancer is a fast growing variety;
· The edges around the cancer are not easily discernible.
Mohs can provide a cure rate of 90% and often higher, depending on the cancer. It can guarantee a high rate of cure while removing a minimal amount of surround normal skin.
