An established surgical technique has in recent years gained greater acceptance and today offers promise to those who suffer from skin cancer. Developed more than 75 years ago, Mohs micrographic surgery has since undergone a number of refinements that allow it to achieve excellent results with only minimal physical effects.
Reducing the medical and cosmetic afflictions associated with skin cancer
More than 2 million Americans are diagnosed every year with skin cancer, the most prevalent forms of which develop in the layers of tissue that comprise the skin. Although these varieties of cancer are usually not lethal, they can cause considerable disfiguration, which can be particularly troublesome when they occur in the face or neck areas. The surgical removal of skin cancer can itself cause scarring and otherwise affect a person’s appearance. Mohs surgery greatly reduces both the medical and cosmetic problems that are associated with other forms of skin cancer treatment.
How Mohs surgery helps fight and treat skin cancer in Orange County
Mohs surgery represents a piecemeal approach in discovering and removing cancer. Although it can be used in the treatment of other forms of the disease, it is especially effective in dealing with basal cell carcinoma, which develops in the lowest layers of the skin, and squamous cell carcinoma, which develops in the outermost layers. The procedure can normally be carried out on an outpatient basis with the use of a local anesthetic.
Employing a small scalpel, the skin cancer surgeon performing Mohs surgery will remove limited amounts of tissue that will be subject to an immediate pathological examination. Only the tissue that is found to contain cancerous cells will be removed, leaving adjacent areas untouched. This method significantly reduces the amount of skin that has to be disturbed, in some cases leaving what may resemble only a small scrape. In addition to being less invasive, Mohs surgery reduces the risk of complications, including infections, which will often occur after other forms of surgery. Since they could be relatively small, the affected areas might be repaired the same day, eliminating the need for subsequent medical dermatology procedures.
Employing changes that have been incorporated into the procedure, doctors practicing Mohs surgery have been able to achieve a success rate of more than 99 percent. Contact us at one of our Orange County skin care centers to learn more about this innovative skin cancer treatment procedure.