Finding out you have any form of skin cancer can be upsetting, to be sure. It’s important to learn about your treatment options and to take action right away. As you’re researching treatments, be sure to give Mohs surgery some attention.
At Dermatology & Laser Center of San Diego, we pride ourselves on offering the most advanced and effective treatment options currently available. Mohs surgery definitely falls into that category, and is an exciting approach to skin cancer treatment.
Here’s what makes Mohs surgery such a fascinating treatment option, and why you might want to ask if it’s a good fit for your specific needs.
When you have skin cancer, treatment focuses on removing cancerous tissue to prevent the cancer from spreading. If the cancer is in the very early stages, topical medication might be all that’s needed.
Some skin cancers can be removed by using a scraping technique or by freezing the affected skin with liquid nitrogen. Excisional surgery is another common treatment for skin cancer, and involves cutting out the targeted tumor and a portion of the surrounding healthy tissue.
But when skin cancer develops in an area that is sensitive, or where removing a substantial volume of surrounding tissue would cause disfigurement or other problems, the goal is to remove all of the cancer but as little of your healthy tissue as possible. That’s where Mohs surgery truly shines.
Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you won’t need to spend the night at a hospital or surgical center. When you arrive, you’ll change into a surgical garment that allows easy access to the treatment site. Of course, if the cancer is developing on your face, you might be able to wear your own clothing.
An injection of local anesthetic numbs the treatment area, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Once you’re numb, your practitioner uses a scalpel to remove an incredibly thin layer of tissue at the site where skin cancer is present.
That tissue is taken to a nearby lab room and examined under a microscope. If there are cancerous cells present, your practitioner comes back and removes another thin layer of tissue.
As they work, your practitioner creates a “map” that shows exactly where the tissue was removed and which sections have cancerous abnormalities. This allows them to focus only on those areas, leaving the nearby healthy tissue unharmed.
This process continues until your practitioner reaches a layer of skin that shows no signs of cancer. At that point, a determination is made about whether the site simply needs a bandage or requires some form of reconstruction.
Suturing the wound closed is one option. Skin grafting is another, and works by using skin from a different area of your body to cover the wound and assist in the healing process. These steps are done immediately after your Mohs surgery.
If the cancer was especially large or extended deep within your skin, a separate reconstructive surgical procedure might be needed. In that case, your practitioner can close the wound temporarily and schedule your reconstruction for the near future.
Mohs surgery offers the chance to preserve much more healthy tissue than surgical excision. It can lead to less scarring and a more aesthetically pleasing final result.
But the process takes time. Many Mohs procedures can be done in around four hours, but it can take longer in some cases. Every time your practitioner removes another layer of skin, there’s a waiting period.
The best way to navigate your day is by bringing something to keep you busy during the waiting intervals. You can listen to music, read, or scroll on your phone while you wait. Having something to distract you can not only make the time pass more easily, but can also be a great way to manage stress during your visit.
Mohs surgery isn’t a good fit for every patient, but it can offer an excellent treatment path for many. If you’d like to learn more about the process and potential results, schedule a time to come in and meet with a member of the Dermatology & Laser Center of San Diego team.
You can set up a visit using our online booking page, and we’re also happy to answer questions or book an appointment over the phone.
