Buckeye Dermatology provides a comprehensive range of services aimed at resolving today’s most prevalent skin problems. For treating skin cancer, we offer various treatments, including Mohs micrographic surgery.
Mohs surgery is a specialized, very effective procedure primarily used to treat locally invasive cancers with a high risk of recurring.
Mohs surgery is performed in stages to ensure a cancer-free margin while conserving the most healthy tissue possible. A stage is defined as these steps:
- Removal of each round of skin layer (resection)
- Processing the skin layer into slides
- A study of the structure of the tissue under a microscope (histological evaluation)
- Confirmation of the presence of residual cancer or achievement of clean margins
The removal of each layer enables rapid and thorough microscopic analysis of the excised malignant tissue, allowing for eliminating all cancerous “roots” and expansions. It is the only technique that is both accurate and efficient for eradicating non-melanoma skin malignancies.
You may require more than one step of Mohs surgery to get clean margins, with the average being approximately 1.6 for early-stage cancers.
Due to the meticulous manner in which tissue is removed and evaluated, Mohs surgery has a cure rate of up to 99 percent. Compared to an 85–92 percent cure rate for conventional skin cancer surgery, it has the highest cure rate possible. Moreover, compared to other surgical techniques, Mohs removes the least amount of healthy skin.
Mohs surgery is most commonly performed to remove two of the most prevalent types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).
Recovery from Mohs Surgery
Following surgery, your wound may be allowed to heal naturally or stitched closed. In some instances, a skin flap or graft may be required. Generally, if the incision is in an area where a scar is acceptable, or the wound is minor, it will be left to heal on its own.
Stitches are typically utilized when natural healing is insufficient or when scarring should be minimized. Recovery after Mohs surgery can be painful, with swelling and bruising. Ice packs can help with bruising and swelling, while over-the-counter medicine can help with any pain or discomfort.
Mohs Surgery Cost
The cost of Mohs surgery at Buckeye Dermatology is determined by factors such as the length of the operation plus your insurance coverage. Please get in touch with us to schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist.
We realize how nervous a skin cancer surgery might make you feel. At Buckeye Dermatology, we have highly trained Mohs surgeons who will offer the specialized care required for the best outcomes for your health.
Patients from Buckeye and Scottsdale, Arizona, are encouraged to contact us to book an appointment. Schedule Your Consultation Today!
