There has been a startling rise in the number of Americans, especially women, diagnosed with skin cancer in recent years. As a result, treatment options have come in for greater scrutiny, and Mohs surgery is one option used by doctors to treat less aggressive types of skin cancer.
What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is micrographic surgery, and it involves the removal of skin tissue that contains cancer. The cells are removed with the use of a scalpel, and then examined under the microscope.In Mohs surgery the doctor will methodically remove cancer tissue,until it is determined that only cancer-free tissue remains (click here). Micrographic surgery is a highly specialized technique that is carefully done to avoid any damage to the skin healthy tissue.
Why is it done?
Mohs surgery is used to treat basal cell carcinoma or BCC, as well as squamous cell carcinoma or SCC. BCC affects the basal cells that are located deep in the epidermis of the skin. When cancer is present, abnormal lesions start to grow on these cells. SCC refers to the development of lesions in the squamous cells, which can be found on the upper layer of the epidermis.
Doctors often choose Mohs surgery, because it is very effective in retaining healthy tissue. It is also preferred, because it allows doctors to reach those delicate parts of the body that are not very accessible, such as around the eyes, nose, and ears. Most importantly, Mohs surgery has a cure rate of between 94 to 99%.
At the Skin Care Center in Chicago, IL Mohs surgery is used to treat BCC, as well as and some other types of skin cancer. Mohs surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia, and at Skin Care Center they have an ultra-modern surgical facility where the doctor performs the operation.