What Are the Benefits of Mohs Surgery?

When patients are researching skin cancer treatments, many of them have one question on their minds: “Is Mohs surgery the best option?” Our Naples-based Skin Wellness Physicians team recommends this precise and advanced treatment for patients who have skin cancers with poorly defined borders and those who have skin cancer on sensitive areas who wish to preserve as much of the healthy surrounding skin as possible.

During a Mohs micrographic surgery procedure, the thinnest possible layer of cancerous tissue is removed, and then is examined under a microscope in an on-site laboratory. This process is completed stage by stage until the affected area is clear and cancer-free. Here are some of the advantages of this surgery that patients should be aware of. 

A High Cure Rate 

Mohs surgery has a success rate of approximately 99 percent, which is the highest cure rate of any skin cancer treatment. It also has the lowest recurrence rates. 

A Reduced Chance of Scarring 

This treatment is usually performed on skin cancers that occur on the head or neck region. Mohs surgery produces better cosmetic results compared to other skin cancer treatments. There is typically minimal scarring and a low chance of lasting, disfiguring scars from Mohs surgery. 

Cost-Effective

Another advantage of Mohs surgery is that everything—including the removal of the cancer, the microscopic evaluation, and the wound reconstruction—is typically completed in just one visit. 

Treats High-Risk Cancers

Skin cancer that occurs on the face may often lead to a fear of scarring or disfigurement. Mohs surgery is often used for the treatment of high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers on sensitive areas such as the eyelids, nose, lips, ears, hands, face, neck, shins, and feet. It can also treat other skin cancers that may be challenging to address, such as large or aggressive cancers on low-risk areas, cancers that have difficult-to-see borders, cancers that have microscopic growth patterns, cancers that have recurred after an initial treatment, and cancers that previously could not be completely removed. 

If you want to get a comprehensive answer to the question of whether Mohs Surgery is the best option for you, our team at Skin Wellness Physicians can guide you on everything there is to know about this and other skin cancer treatments. Want to learn more? Call us at (239) 732-0044 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.