The Benefits of Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer

Mohs surgery, or Mohs micrographic surgery, is a highly effective treatment for common non-melanoma skin cancer types, like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The technique is intended to remove cancerous tumors as completely and permanently as possible with precision while leaving the healthy neighboring tissue intact. This method involves a specially trained physician microscopically identifying and directly targeting cancer cells for excision layer by layer. The fellowship-trained Skin Wellness Physicians dermatologists in Florida perform Mohs surgery for patients who would best benefit from the technique.

The Skin Cancer Foundation considers Mohs surgery to have one of the highest cure rates of all skin cancer therapies. Unlike some traditional cancer treatments, the Mohs method combines surgery and pathology into a single session.

Whether or not you’re a good candidate for Mohs surgery will depend on your age, genetics, the type and stage of cancer, the state of your immune system, and other factors.

Mohs surgery works well on skin cancers that are severe, aggressive, have recurred or have a high chance of recurring, have poorly defined borders, or are located on body parts where the patient wants to save as much tissue as possible, such as the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. A local anesthetic may be administered to patients before starting this outpatient procedure.

During a session, the cancer is stripped away layer by layer by a specially trained surgeon, who looks at each sample under a microscope until no cancer cells are visible, indicating the entire tumor has been removed. In addition to its functional applications, this type of surgery also creates the best possible aesthetic outcome. It does this by minimizing the amount of tissue that is extracted unnecessarily to avoid disfigurement, minimizing scars for larger tumors, and repairing the wound afterward.

Skin Wellness Physicians is dedicated to providing caring, attentive support to patients from Naples, Marco Island, and throughout Florida who have skin cancer. Would you like to learn more or set up a Mohs surgery treatment plan? To get started, call (239) 732-0044 or submit a contact form.