Mohs Surgery Specialist

What can Mohs surgery treat?

Mohs surgery can treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma as well as some other less common skin conditions, including sebaceous carcinoma and extramammary Paget’s disease. It’s extremely effective because it allows for the removal of all cancer and offers a high cure rate. During Mohs surgery, healthy tissue is spared, and you experience as minimal scarring as possible.

Who is a candidate for Mohs surgery?

To determine if you’re a candidate for Mohs surgery, the doctors at Seacoast Dermatology, evaluate your tumor’s:

• Size
• Location
• Margin definition
• Risk of recurrence
  
  

Mohs surgery is especially effective around your eyes, nose, ears, scalp, fingers, toes, and genitals. These sensitive areas benefit because Mohs surgery allows for maximum tissue preservation in areas where the skin is relatively thin.

If you have large tumors or rapidly growing basal and squamous cell tumors, Mohs surgery is a good option. People with tumors that recur or have indistinct edges are also good candidates for the surgery. The doctors may use Mohs surgery in some early cases of melanoma. Consult with Seacoast Dermatology’s staff to find out if you are a candidate.

What happens during Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery removes the cancerous cells as well as nearby affected tissue. This ensures all cancer cells are eliminated. Mohs surgery occurs in one visit but has multiple stages. During the procedure, the doctor removes the obvious tumor and a small area of surrounding tissue to remove all possible cancerous cells.

The surrounding tissue is examined under a microscope as you wait. If cells remain, another small layer of tissue is removed and evaluated under the microscope. These steps are repeated until no cancerous cells are evident. The process means the least possible tissue is removed, while still clearing you of cancer.

Mohs surgery is methodical and precise, resulting in a cure rate as high as 99% for certain skin cancers.

If you’ve been diagnosed with squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, contact Seacoast Dermatology, to learn if you’re a candidate for Mohs surgery – the gold standard for treatment. Call one of the four locations, or book an appointment online.