The American Cancer Society reports that about 5.4 million cases of squamous and basal cell skin cancers are recorded each year. The number of cases reported annually is increasing, probably because of improved diagnostic techniques, increased exposure to sunlight, and prolonged life expectancies.
Facing a diagnosis of skin cancer can be overwhelming, but you can breathe easy knowing you can get treatment from the Dermatology & Cosmetic Laser Center. Dr. Roger Koreen and the team offer Mohs micrographic surgery in Centerport, New York—a precise surgical procedure for eliminating cancerous skin lesions.
What is Mohs micrographic surgery?
Mohs is an advanced skin cancer treatment invented by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs in the late 1930s. This treatment has a high success rate for treating the two common types of skin cancer—basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Besides treating new cancer cases, this nearly flawless treatment has a remarkable cure rate for recurrent cancers.
Mohs surgery allows the doctor to see beyond the visible disease to remove the entire cancerous tumor down from its roots while leaving the healthy tissues intact. This approach reduces the chances of cancer ever coming back.
What to expect from Mohs micrographic surgery?
The first step is to schedule an appointment with a Mohs-certified doctor like Dr. Gina Marrero to determine if Mohs is the best treatment for your case. This consultation is critical to assess, plan, and prepare for your surgery.
This is what your Mohs procedure entails:
- The doctor will administer local anesthesia in the treatment area to minimize discomfort.
- Dr. Marrero will remove the cancerous tissue and a small amount of the healthy tissue (of course, within the healthy margin) and cover the wound with a bandage as you wait.
- Your tissue will be sent to a lab to inspect for any presence of cancerous tissues. You’ll wait for about 30-45 minutes to see if the margins are clear.
- If there are traces of cancer, the doctor will remove more tissue, and then you wait again for the test results.
- Dr. Marrero will repeat this step until she ensures all the cancer is gone.
The final step is to close the wound left. Your doctor can use stitches to close the wound. Sometimes, stitches aren’t necessary, so you’ll only have a dressing to protect the wound. In other cases, you may need a plastic surgeon like our own, Dr. Ian Bourhill, to repair the wound if it’s in a cosmetically sensitive area like the face. The entire Mohs surgery takes about 2-3 hours, although this may vary depending on the size of the tumor.
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New Patients: (631) 417-3300 | Existing Patients: (631) 421-4398 Book an AppointmentBenefits of Mohs surgery
Unlike the traditional excision, where the surgeon removes the entire tumor with the surrounding healthy tissue, Mohs surgery eliminates the cancerous tissue with precision to conserve the healthy tissues.
Besides precision, the other benefits of Mohs surgery include:
- Effective in removing cancers, eliminating the chances of recurrence.
- Wounds and scars after Mohs surgery are small, heal faster, and have better aesthetic outcomes.
- The removed samples are tested on-site, reducing the waiting period and the possibility of repeat procedures.
- Mohs surgery is performed under local anesthesia, eliminating complications of general anesthesia.
- Low recurrence rates mean low treatment costs.
Mohs micrographic surgery near me
Do you have skin cancer and think Mohs surgery can help? Call (631) 417-3300 to schedule an appointment with Dermatology & Cosmetic Laser Center. We are here to ensure you achieve optimal health.
