Our dermatologists at Dermatology Specialists perform Mohs surgery on a regular basis. The procedure was developed in Wisconsin by the late Dr. Frederic Mohs. Dr. Mohs set out to create a new way of removing and processing skin tissue. Seeing how ineffective standard surgical techniques were at the time, Dr. Mohs wanted to improve on the precision and control. He knew that he could achieve this through his methods.
Today, Mohs surgery offers you a very precise method for removing skin cancer. It has the highest cure rate, at 95 to 99 percent, of all skin cancer treatments. When the doctor acts as both the surgeon and the pathologist, this is defined as Mohs surgery. Our Athens Mohs surgery specialists will speak to you about what this procedure can do for you.
Standard excisions or removing tissue by any means other than Mohs surgery could lead to missed cancer cells. When the margins on a skin cancer sample are evaluated by a standard excision technique, meaning not Mohs surgery, it can evaluate less than 5 percent of the total margins, and that number could even be lower.
Mohs surgery, on the other hand, offers 100 percent margin control. Because of this, our Athens Mohs dermatology surgeons can remove less skin. Once these tissues have been evaluated, if there is the possibility that a tumor remains, the physician can map out where it is down to a hair follicle. This allows for only a small additional amount of skin tissue being removed.
This process is repeated until the tumor is completely removed, there are no cancer cellls in the margins, and the open wound is ready for suturing. Even if the cancer has been treated and comes back, Mohs surgery still has a 95% cure rate.
The advantages of having Mohs surgery will surely help you to see how beneficial this type of treatment option is for you. Cure rates are between 95 and 99 percent, there is minimal scarring, and your recovery is fast. If any skin cancers are found on your face, ears, scalp, neck, hands, ankles, feet, or breasts, Mohs surgery is recommended.
An Athens Mohs procedure is reserved for special circumstances. An increased level of care comes with this type of procedure, as well. Mohs surgery for melanoma or another circumstance will be determined by your medical dermatologist. Extenuating circumstances, such as the location of the skin cancer (head, neck, shins, hands, feet, or genitals), will weigh on the way the skin cancer surgery will be performed.
The most common types of skin cancer treated with Mohs surgery are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Some malignant melanomas can also be treated with Mohs surgery.
Skin cancer treatments, such as Mohs surgery, are only performed by physicians that are board-certified. If only one layer of skin needs to be removed to locate all of the skin cancer, the procedure is usually 60-90 minutes long. If the skin cancer requires multiple layers of skin to be removed, the procedure may take a few hours. Such a procedure is relatively painless, and the area to be excised will be numbed. Additional medication will be provided if needed.
Furthermore, because Mohs surgery is a medical procedure, it is covered by most insurance companies, as well as any surgical reconstruction if needed.
We have the answers to all of your concerns and more. Contact our office or make an appointment to see one of our specialists to ease any worries you may have.
Our Athens Mohs surgery physicians have performed numerous skin cancer surgeries using only recommended techniques and employing every tool at their disposal to treat skin cancer for each individual patient. They will do the same for you.
Athens dermatologic surgery or Mohs surgery is a highly specialized surgical technique used to remove skin cancer. The Mohs procedure allows our surgeons to remove only the cancerous areas of your skin, while preserving the healthy skin. Because of the Mohs technique, the cosmetic outcome you are looking for is greatly enhanced. It is particularly beneficial for treating cancers found on the face, neck, ears, and hands. Contact Dermatology Specialists today if you are interested in this procedure.
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