Mohs Surgery

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.

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.