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Mohs micrographic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. At Skin Cancer Specialists, the highly skilled surgeons use the latest techniques to remove cancerous cells without taking excessive amounts of healthy skin nearby. Daniel Skinner, MD, and Grant Heinz, MD, use Mohs surgery to treat newly formed cancerous growths and recurrent lesions to prevent cancer from spreading elsewhere. Call the Mesa, Arizona, office today to find out if you’re a candidate for Mohs micrographic surgery.
Mohs micrographic surgery Q&A
What is Mohs micrographic surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a surgical procedure to remove certain types of skin cancer.
During Mohs micrographic surgery, your surgeon removes cancerous skin tissue one layer at a time. They evaluate each sample under a microscope to check for cancerous cells and repeat the process until no abnormal cells are present.
Skin Cancer Specialists offer Mohs micrographic surgery in-office on an outpatient basis. The skilled physicians perform Mohs surgery on adults and children to prevent cancer from progressing and spreading to other areas of your body.
Why would I need Mohs micrographic surgery?
You might be a candidate for Mohs micrographic surgery if you have basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, two common types of skin cancer.
Mohs surgical techniques aim to preserve as much healthy skin as possible while still removing all cancerous cells. The providers may suggest Mohs surgery as a treatment option for cancerous lesions on areas like your:
- Face
- Neck
- Hands
- Nails
- Scalp
- Genitals
They may also suggest Mohs micrographic surgery if you have a recurrence of skin cancer after a previous treatment or if you have a large area of skin that requires surgical removal.
How long does it take to recover from Mohs micrographic surgery?
Skin Cancer Specialists offers Mohs micrographic surgery on an outpatient basis, so you can expect to go home on the same day as your procedure. You need to spend a brief period of time recovering from any sedatives you receive to keep you calm and relaxed.
After your surgery, you may have a small wound that will heal on its own in a few weeks. If you have a large sound, the providers may cover it with a bandage and teach you how to keep the area clean and dry.
In some cases, you might need follow-up reconstructive surgery to support the healing of large wounds. The surgeons offer skin grafts to cover open wounds with skin they remove from another area of your body.
Many people are able to return to work and other activities within a few days of Mohs micrographic surgery. There is also a small risk of infection and scarring because the surgeons only need to remove a minimal amount of skin.
Call Skin Cancer Specialists today to schedule a consultation for Mohs micrographic surgery or book an appointment online.