What Is Mohs Surgery?
Originally developed in the 1930s, Mohs Micrographic Surgery has been refined into the most advanced, precise, and effective treatment for an increasing variety of skin cancer types. With the Mohs technique, physicians can precisely identify and remove an entire tumor while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact and unharmed. It is accepted as the single most effective technique for removing Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BCCs and SCCs), the two most common skin cancers.
The Mohs procedure involves surgically removing skin cancer layer by layer and examining the tissue under a microscope until healthy, cancer-free tissue around the tumor is reached. Mohs surgery has the highest success rate of all treatments for skin cancer – up to 99%.
FAQs
What is involved in Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure under local anesthetic. This means that the patient remains awake and is aware of what is happening. The process takes place in stages, by a doctor, like Dr. Treen at Carolina Skin Care & Mohs Surgery Center, who is specifically trained to undertake all three stages. These are:
Stage 1: Your surgeon removes the visibly cancerous tissue as well as a thin layer of surrounding skin. This is done using a small, handheld scalpel. You will have a dressing placed over the area while you wait for the second stage to take place.
Stage 2: Your surgeon then analyzes the skin that has been removed by looking at it under a microscope. If any cancer cells are detected in the surrounding skin, you will need another layer of skin removed. This process of removing layers of skin and analyzing them under a microscope continues until there are no longer cancer cells present in the sample. This process takes some time and you will be able to relax while it takes place.
Stage 3: Finally, your surgeon will close or reconstruct the wound to restore the appearance of the area. How this will be done will depend on the extent of your wound, and you may need sutures or potentially skin grafting. Every effort is made to ensure that scarring is kept to an absolute minimum.
What areas of the body can Mohs be performed on?
Mohs can be used to treat basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas in many areas of the body and face, including those which may be considered the most sensitive or concerning for cosmetic reasons, such as lips, ears, nose, scalp, fingers, toes and genitals. If you aren’t sure if you are a good candidate for Mohs surgery, you should schedule a consultation with our team at Carolina Skin Care & Mohs Surgery Center as soon as possible.
How effective is Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery has been shown to have a success rate of up to 99% for a skin cancer that hasn’t been treated before, and up to 94% for a skin cancer that has recurred after previous treatment. This makes it one of the most effective ways of treating certain types of skin cancer.
Can Mohs surgery be used to treat melanoma skin cancer?
Melanomas are the most serious forms of skin cancer, as they tend to be the most aggressive. Moh’s surgery is sometimes recommended for a specific type of melanoma called lentigo maligna or melanoma in situ, which stays close to the surface of the skin for some time enabling it to be removed using this technique but we can discuss your candidacy during your scheduled consultation.
For more information on Mohs surgery, or to schedule your confidential consultation, please contact our office at (910) 684-5211 and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team.
Patient Testimonials
Dr. Klumbar and his assistant were absolutely great! He was very kind and checked multiple times if I was doing good during my small surgery. I would absolutely recommend him! Thank you!!
Christine C.
Great experience. Dr Klumper has consistently been a five star, very professional and careful, surgeon but the time delay from appointment time to procedure was too long.
William C.Had a good experience. Dr was very friendly very nice and explained the entire so could understand. Would recommend him.
Nadia H.
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Our team provides thoughtful, expert care for all your skin health needs. We are proud to offer the most advanced general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatological services in the Pinehurst, Fayetteville, Laurinburg, and Rockingham areas.