When Do You Need Mohs Surgery?
Jul 31, 2015
Mohs Surgery is, in its most basic form, the surgical removal of skin cancer in different stages. It was developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs in the 1930s and has been used since then to effectively treat skin cancer.
Mohs Surgery is, in its most basic form, the surgical removal of skin cancer in different stages. It was developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs in the 1930s and has been used since then to effectively treat skin cancer. Despite there being an array of innovative, state-of-the-art skin cancer treatments in the market today, Mohs Surgery remains popular. It is in fact, considered the most effective method of removing the two most common types of skin cancer known to man – Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BCC and SCC)
Assessing When You Need Mohs Surgery
- When you suffer from complex BCC or SCC – As mentioned earlier, Mohs Surgery is the single most effective treatment for BCC and SCC cancers. If you suffer from either, you need a Mohs surgery without doubt. However, the term to focus here is ‘complex’. Only when the carcinoma is complex, will you need Mohs Surgery.So how do you know if you need Mohs Surgery? Check if the BCC or SCC qualifies as complex skin cancer. Generally, if a cancer is large, or has undefined edges, or is surrounded by scar tissue, or is in an area of high tumor recurrence, it is considered complex. In addition, cancer that could not be treated, or which reappeared post treatment is also considered complex.
- When preserving healthy skin tissue is vital – If the cancer appears on your hands, lips, nose, ears, eyelids or other sites where preserving the healthy tissue is vital to maintaining yoru skin function and physical appearance, you need Mohs Surgery.
- When you suffer from certain types of less common tumors – Sebaceous carcinomas, merkel cell carcinomas, microcystic adnexal carcinomas, superficial melanomas, spindle cell tumors, keratoacanthoma, Paget’s disease of the breast and leiomyosarcoma are some lesser common tumors, which can be treated effectively with Mohs Surgery.
- When you are at the risk of developing multiple skin cancers – If you suffer from any genetic syndrome, xeroderma pigmentosa, or basal cell nevus syndrome, you are at the risk of developing multiple skin cancers, and you need Mohs surgery.
Want Help With Mohs Surgery? Contact the Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center.
If you need help with Mohs Surgery, contact the Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center. You may also call us at 1-201-836-9696 or visit our Palisade Avenue office.