Annual Advancements in Medicine Section
From minimally invasive surgical technologies to innovative appproaches to rehabiliation and beyond, new research in the medical field is optimizing care for patients and doctors alike. Read on to discover the latest in revolutionary treatment options.
Mohs surgery is a highly effective treatment option for skin cancer.
Understanding Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and is caused by a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, age, and immune function. 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.
New Solutions
Mohs micrographic surgery, pioneered by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs several decades ago, 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 boasts the highest cure rates of any cancer treatment for BCC, SCC, melanoma, and other rare forms of skin cancer.
Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons have significant experience with complex skin cancer management and reconstruction.
What to Expect
Mohs surgery is an awake procedure. You will first receive local anesthesia to numb the operative site. During the procedure, a thin layer of skin will be removed and thoroughly examined under a microscope. Your surgeon will repeat this step until the cancer is completely removed. After the cancer has been cleared, the removal site will be reconstructed during the same appointment. Surgery typically takes two to three hours, and the majority of this time will be spent waiting comfortably in a room while the tissue is prepared for analysis.
Benefits to Patients
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. Both surgery and reconstruction conveniently take place in a single, outpatient visit, and most patients can return to work the next day.
