Who Should Get Mohs Surgery?

What determines if you need Mohs surgery? Naples-area patients who come to our practice seeking treatment for skin cancer often ask us this question in their pursuit of a cure.

Skin cancer is a prevalent condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Fortunately, medical advancements have led to the development of highly effective treatments, one of which is Mohs surgery: a specialized technique used to remove skin cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

This technique is primarily employed for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), two of the most common types of skin cancer.

Mohs surgery is renowned for its high cure rates and its ability to minimize the removal of healthy tissue, making it an ideal choice for cancers located in visible and sensitive areas, such as the neck and above, hands, feet, genitals, and shins.

However, while this type of surgery has an exceptionally high cure rate, it may not always be possible. If you’re unsure whether Mohs surgery is right for you, here are some things you should know about what would make you an ideal candidate for the treatment.

• Skin Cancer on Specific Locations

If your skin cancer is located on a high-risk area or a highly visible area of the body—such as the head, neck, face, ears, lips, or fingers—we may recommend Mohs surgery. Since more healthy tissue is preserved when compared to a standard excision, this can be a good option for delicate areas. If you have small, superficial, low-risk cancers on non-sensitive areas, another treatment option may be preferred.

• High-Risk Skin Cancer

Patients with high-risk skin cancers may be excellent candidates for Mohs surgery. High-risk factors include aggressive or rapidly growing tumors, tumors with poorly defined borders, tumors located in areas with previous radiation treatment or scars, tumors that have recurred after previous treatment, and tumors with a higher likelihood of spreading or infiltrating surrounding tissues.

• Certain Types of Skin Cancers

Mohs surgery may be recommended for squamous cell carcinomas or basal cell carcinomas when there is a risk of recurrence.

Want to know what determines if you need Mohs surgery? Contact our Naples-based Skin Wellness Physicians team to get more details about what this procedure involves and find out whether it’s a good option for you. Call us at (239) 732-0044 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.