What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is a specialized technique designed to remove non-melanoma skin cancers precisely. It’s the gold standard for treating cancers such as basal and squamous cell carcinoma.
The surgical process involves removing ultra-thin layers of cancerous cells and evaluating them under a microscope during surgery. This step-by-step approach continues until all cancerous cells are removed, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Benefits of Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is renowned for its excellent results, thanks to:
- Highest Cure Rates: Mohs surgery boasts up to 99% cure rates for certain skin cancers.
- Tissue Preservation: This technique spares healthy tissue by targeting only cancerous cells. Other techniques typically involve removing more of the surrounding skin, often sacrificing healthy tissue in the process.
- Smaller Wounds: Less tissue removal means smaller post-surgical wounds, improving healing and appearance.
- Reconstruction Options: We reconstruct the surgical site after removal to ensure optimal cosmetic outcomes.
What to Expect During Mohs Surgery
- Preparation: Your surgeon cleans the treatment area thoroughly and numbs the skin lesion and surrounding area with local anesthesia.
- Tissue Removal: Your surgeon precisely removes the uppermost layers of skin containing cancer cells.
- Microscopic Examination: Your surgeon examines the layer of skin cells using a high-power microscope. They use this information to build a “map” of your tumor. This allows them to go back and remove skin in only the areas where cancerous cells remain.
- Repeat Removal: There are several rounds of skin cell removal, with microscopic exams after each.
- Final Closure: After removing all cancerous cells, your Mohs surgeon closes your wound with tiny stitches to get the best cosmetic result with the lowest risk of scarring.
Because Mohs surgery happens in several different rounds, it takes around three or four hours in our office, potentially longer.Â
Mohs Surgery in Lubbock and Denver City
If you’re ready to address your skin cancer with precision and care, schedule your consultation with Dermatology Associates of West Texas. Call us at 806-797-1202 to make an appointment in Lubbock or Denver City, Texas.