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Mohs Surgery

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Mohs Surgery

Feel Confident in Your Skin

GENERAL

Mohs Surgery

Have you recently been diagnosed with skin cancer and are wondering what your skin cancer treatment options are?

At Brentwood Dermatology, we often recommend Mohs surgery for those with certain types of skin cancers. Learn more about Mohs surgery below and why it’s known as the gold standard of skin cancer treatments.

EXCISIONAL SURGERY

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery – named after the doctor who developed this advanced procedure, Dr. Frederick Mohs – is a form of excisional surgery primarily used for advanced skin conditions, such as skin cancer. It is an innovative procedure that removes skin cancer cells (and roots) layer by layer of skin and aims to preserve as much healthy skin as possible.

Mohs surgery is often referred to as Mohs micrographic surgery because it uses micrographic examination to ensure all cancer cells are completely eliminated.

QUESTIONS

Mohs Surgery FAQs

Mohs surgery boasts several benefits that make it the gold standard of skin cancer treatments. The main benefits of Mohs surgery include:

  • Highest cure rate — At around 95%, Mohs surgery has one of the highest cure rates for common cancers like squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.
  • Minimal scarring — Mohs surgery aims to remove only the cancerous cells, preserving as much healthy skin as possible. This means less potential scarring and easier healing!
  • Cost benefits — This type of skin cancer treatment is performed in an office, rather than a hospital, resulting in lower costs for you and your family.

Mohs surgery is most commonly used for skin cancers that are aggressive or show an invasive pattern microscopically. This may include skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.

Additionally, Mohs surgery is often recommended for skin cancers located in cosmetically sensitive locations, such as the head or neck, as it results in minimal scarring.

On the day of Mohs surgery, you’ll find it is performed in one day as an outpatient procedure at the Brentwood Dermatology clinic. Mohs surgery takes place in multiple stages: preparation, top layer removal, lab testing and microscopic examination, second layer removal, additional analysis and removal, and then wound closure.

To learn more about Mohs surgery and what to expect before, during, and after your procedure, click here.

Mohs surgery can technically be performed on any part of the body where skin cancer is present. However, it’s often reserved for the treatment of skin cancer on sensitive areas of the body where skin preservation is essential, such as the face, neck, hands, feet, or genitals.

For most people, recovering from Mohs surgery is easy. Your surgeon will apply a pressure dressing that you should leave on for 24-48 hours. (Make sure to keep it dry!) Then, ensure the procedure site is kept clean with gentle soap and warm water. Keep it covered with a band-aid or gauze until the surgeon removes the stitches.

Your dermatologist will monitor you for recurrence or new cancers for 3-6 months after surgery, although the rate of recurrence at that site is only 1-2% after Mohs surgery, as this skin cancer treatment is highly effective.

Dermatologists and skin cancer experts have found Mohs surgery to be one of the most effective skin cancer treatments available today. As mentioned above, it’s known as the “gold standard” of skin cancer treatments and has the highest cure rate, which means skin cancer will not likely recur or spread.

There’s always a small chance of skin cancer recurring after skin cancer treatment, such as Mohs surgery. However, Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate of all skin cancer surgeries, and it gives patients the best chance at beating their skin cancer.

PHOTOS

Mohs Surgery

Contact

Schedule a Mohs Micrographic Surgery at Brentwood Dermatology

Brentwood Dermatology is proud to offer Mohs surgery as an outpatient procedure at our comfortable clinic near Brentwood, TN! If you’re interested in learning more about Mohs surgery or would like to schedule a Mohs micrographic surgery, please get in touch with our team today by requesting an appointment online or by calling (615) 377-3448.

Contact Us Today

Have questions or concerns? Please call us at 615.377.3448.

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