Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the most common types of skin cancers. Standard procedures can effectively treat these cancers when they form in areas like the trunk. However, when BCCs and SCCs occur in delicate and cosmetically important places like the face, hands, legs, and genitals, you need a precise treatment like Mohs surgery in Centerport, New York.
Mohs surgery at Dermatology & Cosmetic Laser Center effectively removes skin cancer while leaving minimal damage to the surrounding tissues. Also known as margin-controlled excision, Mohs surgery is particularly effective in treating skin cancer with a high chance of recurrence or that has already returned after treatment.
What does Mohs surgery involve?
Mohs surgery is a multi-step procedure done in one visit, with the patient waiting between each step. The doctor removes a skin layer at a time and examines it under a microscope in an on-site lab. If any cancer cells remain, the doctor will remove another layer precisely, sparing the healthy tissues as much as possible. We’ll repeat this procedure until no cancer cells remain.
What should I expect from Mohs surgery?
Your treatment starts with a consultation with our Mohs-certified doctor, Dr. Gina Marrero. We’ll talk you through treatment, including what to expect, and then mark the area of treatment with a pen. We’ll administer local anesthetics for a painless treatment. Since no general anesthesia is used, you’ll remain awake throughout the procedure.
Dr. Marrero will use a scalpel to gently remove each skin layer at a time for pathological investigation. Some skin cancers may be the “tip of the iceberg,” meaning they have extensions or roots beneath the skin. The doctor will send the tissue to the lab for further scrutiny. Meanwhile, we’ll bandage your wound as you wait.
If cancer is still there, we’ll anesthetize your treatment area and remove another skin layer, of course within the healthy margin. We’ll send the sample to the lab once more to ensure no cancer is present. The doctor will repeat this procedure as many times until we ensure all cancer is gone.
Once the site is clear of cancer cells, the doctor may leave the wound to heal or close it with sutures. If the wound requires reconstruction with a skin graft, we’ll engage Dr. Ian Bourhill to leave the treatment area with an outstanding cosmetic finish.
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New Patients: (631) 417-3300 | Existing Patients: (631) 421-4398 Book an AppointmentWhat happens after surgery?
Since Mohs surgery is minimally invasive, you’ll go home right after surgery. You may experience mild bleeding and bruising. Our doctor will give you post-op instructions on how to care for your wound. We’ll also tell you when you need to return for a follow-up check-up. In the long run, lifetime annual check-ups are essential to watch out for skin cancer recurrence.
What are the benefits of Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is the go-to procedure for large and aggressive BCCs and SCCs with indistinct edges that have reappeared after previous treatment. Mohs surgery offers several benefits, including.
- Minimal scarring
- Maximum preservation of healthy tissues
- Faster recovery
- Effective treatment outcomes, reducing chances of cancer recurrence
Do you need Mohs surgery?
Mohs is the most effective treatment for skin cancer. If you’d like to see the difference it can make in your health, call (631) 417-3300 to schedule an appointment at Dermatology & Cosmetic Laser Center. Your healthy, cancer-free skin awaits! We are located in Centerport, NY, but we serve the surrounding locations of Dix Hills, East Northport, Melville, Cold Spring Harbor, Commack, Eatons Neck, Elwood, Fort Salonga, Greenlawn, Halesite, Huntington, Vernon Valley, West Hills, and Wincoma.
