About Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery uses a sophisticated microscopic method to examine, locate, and remove cancerous cells in the skin with the highest possible cure rate.
We understand the term “skin cancer” can be a frightening one. Our staff will make certain that you receive friendly compassionate care as well as complete information about your condition and treatment.
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with over one million cases diagnosed each year. Like cancer in other organs of the body, skin cancer results from uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells and is caused by sunburns, ultraviolet light, heredity, or exposure to X-Rays. When the cells in the skin begin to grow in an abnormal fashion, a tumor will result. This tumor may be benign or malignant.
A malignant tumor is considered a cancer and should be removed to prevent the possibility of invasion and destruction of surrounding normal tissue. While most skin cancers do not spread to other parts of the body, they frequently invade surrounding normal tissue, causing extensive destruction of skin.
The most common types of skin cancer treated with Mohs micrographic surgery are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
What is Mohs?
Mohs is a state-of-the-art-treatment for skin cancer that relies on the precision and accuracy of a microscope to trace the path of the tumor and ensure removal of skin cancer down to its roots.
Advantages of Mohs Surgery:
WHICH CANCERS NEED MOHS?
Mohs is most often used to treat basal and squamous cell carcinoma when:
Mohs Micrographic Surgery Appointment
Yes. There are no eating restrictions for your surgery. We encourage you to eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of your surgery. PLEASE NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES THE EVENING PRIOR TO YOUR SURGERY APPOINTMENT.
You will be spending most of the day here on the day of your procedure. It takes several minutes to remove the level of tissue however it can take an hour or more to process the tissue in the lab. The average amount of time spent here is 4-6 hours.
We recommend that you dress in comfortable clothes. We suggest that you bring a sweater or jacket as the waiting room may be cool.
It is recommended but not necessary that you have someone accompany you on the day of surgery. There are some special circumstances however that we will insist that you have someone accompany you on the day of your surgery. We ask that you limit the number of people.
Yes. Take your regularly prescribed medications as they have been prescribed.
If you are on blood thinning medications such as aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix or Warfarin we will ask you to CHECK WITH YOUR PRESCRIBING PHYSICIAN before we ask you to discontinue these medications prior to surgery.
If you have a history of rheumatic fever, heart murmur, mitral valve prolapse, artificial hips, knees, shoulders, or heart valves or if you are required by your physician to take an antibiotic prior to dental procedures, we will prescribe one for you.
You will be able to return to work if you feel you are able to. If you have a physical job that requires heavy lifting (over 25 lbs.), bending or exercise we may ask you to refrain from those activities for the week following your surgery. A note from your physician will be provided to you if needed.
We will ask you to refrain from heavy lifting, bending, or exercise, for one week after your surgery. This includes power walking, yoga, golf etc.
General anesthesia is not necessary for this procedure. Local anesthesia will be used similar to what was used at the time of your biopsy.
Bleeding and infection are the two primary complications. Both of these are uncommon. We will discuss with you how to recognize these problems should they occur.
Most likely you will have stitches on your surgical site. There are some instances, however, that a wound can heal in on its own. You will receive specific instructions on how to care for your wound/stitches after surgery.
Have questions or concerns? Please call us at 856.627.1900