The precision of Mohs
The
Mohs surgery process, a specific sequence of surgery and tissue examination,
allows surgeons to identify and remove cancerous tumors with great precision,
leaving healthy skin unharmed. The entire process is completed in one
outpatient appointment.
When is Mohs surgery appropriate
Certain
skin cancers are more readily cured by Mohs surgery than by other treatments,
because the procedure allows the physician to examine more completely the
tissue affected.
Mohs surgery is most appropriate in any
of the following situations:
- The cancer
affects the face, especially cosmetically
sensitive areas such as the eyelids, nose, ears and lips
- The cancer has
been unsuccessfully treated or has recurred after previous treatment.
- The tumor is
large or has poorly defined edges or borders.
- The cancer
appears to be growing aggressively.
What happens during the procedure
In
Mohs surgery, once a visible tumor is removed, the surgeon then removes an additional
thin layer of tissue from the tumor site. This tissue is cut into sections,
then marked and plotted to identify its original location on the patient’s
body. By examining the tissue with a microscope, the surgeon can determine if
any tumor cells remain and can locate them precisely on a tissue “map.” If
tumor cells are present at the edge of a tissue specimen, the surgeon removes
more tissue from the patient in that exact location.
This
process is repeated until no further cancer is seen under the microscope. The
Mohs procedure creates the smallest possible incision and removes a minimal
amount of tissue until the exact boundaries of the tumor are identified.
The most effective cure for skin cancer
When
the procedure is complete, there is greater certainty that all the cancer has
been removed because the borders of the specimen are more thoroughly examined
than with conventional surgery. The cure rate of Mohs surgery is the highest of
all treatments for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers – up to 99
percent, even if other forms of treatment have failed.
Qualifications of a Mohs surgeon
To
become certified in Mohs surgery, a physician must complete at least one year
of training in a fellowship accredited by the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Most Mohs surgeons have completed a residency program in dermatology prior to
their Mohs training.
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