This surgical technique is a highly effective treatment option for skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, caused primarily by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma are the three most common types of skin cancer and are highly treatable when caught early.
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized surgical technique for the treatment of skin cancer that involves removing and examining layers of skin until only cancer-free tissue remains. It is the only specialty in medicine where the surgeon is also the pathologist, and it is considered the most effective treatment for BCC and SCC. An advanced technique called immunostaining has made it possible to also treat melanomas using Mohs surgery.
How Does It Work?
During Mohs surgery, patients remain awake and receive local anesthesia to numb the operative site. The surgeon will then remove a thin layer of the skin and thoroughly examine it under a microscope, repeating this step until the cancer is completely removed. Afterward, the removal site will be reconstructed during the same appointment. Surgery typically takes two to three hours, with the patient spending the majority of this time waiting comfortably in a room while the tissue is prepared for analysis.
The Benefits of Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rates among skin cancer treatments and minimizes the risk of recurrence. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it can effectively cure up to 99% of skin cancers that haven’t been treated before and 94% that have returned after initial treatment. It also spares healthy tissue and leaves the smallest possible scar. Both surgery and reconstruction take place in a single, outpatient visit, and most patients can return to work the next day.
“Although a sophisticated skin cancer treatment, the goals of Mohs surgery are simple: keep you comfortable, get the cancer out, and leave you with the least amount of scarring. After performing thousands of Mohs surgeries and complex reconstructions, our team at Uderm is setting the bar for the highest quality skin cancer therapies.”
Jonathan Miller, MD, FACMS, FAAD
Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon, Uderm
👉 Schedule an appointment with Uderm today and trust your care to Chattanooga’s fellowship-trained Mohs surgery expert.
Written by Rachel Studebaker
This blog post was originally published in HealthScope® Magazine and on HealthScopeMag.com and has been reposted here with permission for informational purposes only. All credit for the content belongs to the original author and source. While we strive to share accurate and valuable information, we do not claim ownership of this material and are not responsible for any changes, updates, or interpretations made since the original publication. For the most up-to-date version, please visit healthscopemag.com.
