Skin Cancer & Dermatology Experts
Mohs surgery is a highly specialized treatment for the total removal of skin cancer. This method differs from all other methods of treating skin cancer by the use of Complete Microscopic Examination of all the tissues removed surgically as well as detailed mapping techniques to allow the surgeon to remove all the roots and extensions of the skin cancer. The procedure begins after the skin is injected with a local anesthetic to make it completely numb. Then the visible cancer and a very thin layer surrounding the skin are removed with a scalpel, carefully mapped, and examined microscopically. If there is still cancer seen under the microscope, another very thin layer of skin is removed from that exact location. This may be repeated as often as necessary to completely remove the cancer. Once the cancer is removed, the wound is closed. This technique saves the greatest amount of healthy tissue and has the highest cure rate of about 98%.
This treatment is generally used for melanomas, dysplastic nevi, and skin cancers that are located in non-cosmetically sensitive regions or areas with extra surrounding tissue. A local anesthesia is used and the surgeon removes the entire growth along with some normal tissue surrounding the growth as a margin of safety. The area is then sutured closed, the patient is discharged, and the removed tissue is sent to a pathology laboratory for examination to determine if all of the cancer cells have been removed. Normally it takes approximately one week for the pathology results to be received and reported back to the patient. This procedure is not as effective as Mohs surgery and has a cure rate of about 90%.
This procedure is typically used for very superficial basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas that are located in non-cosmetically sensitive areas such as the back, chest, and arm. A local anesthesia is used and the cancerous cells are scraped away with a sharp, ring-shaped instrument. The area is then treated with heat from an electocautery machine which destroys any residual cancer cells and helps to control bleeding.
This treatment is most frequently used for people with extensive pre cancerous damage or superficial Basal cell carcinomas. Imiquimoid 5% cream is applied to the tumor 5 times a week for up to 6 weeks or longer and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is applied to the tumor twice daily for 3-6weeks. Side effects vary but typically patients experience redness, irritation, and inflammation.
