Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique that effectively removes cancerous cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Dr. Joseph Sedrak of EpiDermatology in Houston, TX, Kingwood, TX, & Sugar Land, Texas has extensive experience in Mohs surgery and has helped hundreds of men and women move beyond skin cancer with minimal scarring. To learn more about Mohs surgery and whether it might be the right treatment path for your needs, book an appointment today using the online tool or by contacting the office by phone.
What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a surgical approach that removes cancer cells while preserving as much cancer-free tissue as possible. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis and requires minimal recovery time.
What are some advantages of Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is a great treatment option for certain types of cancers. Basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer can both be effectively removed with Mohs surgery. Even certain types of melanoma can be treated using this approach.
Mohs surgery is a good treatment option for cancers that:
Recur after previous treatment, have irregular borders, are large and/or aggressive
One of the primary reasons to pursue Mohs surgery is the ability to preserve healthy tissue surrounding cancer cells. For many men and women, this means less scarring for cancers around their eyes, mouth, ears, nose, hands, and genitals.
What happens during Mohs surgery?
Dr. Sedrak begins by cleaning the surgical area and administering a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. He then uses a surgical scalpel to remove the visible cancer cells.
He examines those cells with a microscope to determine if the cancer cells extend to the underlying layer. If so, he returns and removes another thin layer of skin to be examined with the microscope. That process continues until he reaches a layer where there are no signs of cancerous cells. He creates a map of your skin to show exactly where cancer cells were detected, which tells him where to focus on the next layer.
At that point, he assesses the surgical site to determine if stitches are needed or if bandaging is sufficient to allow your body to heal. Skin grafting can sometimes help cover the wound, or skin can be moved from an adjacent area.
Many men and women prefer Mohs surgery as a treatment option because it allows you to know that your treatment area is completely cancer-free at the time of the procedure. Having that peace of mind can be very comforting.
To explore this and other skin cancer treatment options, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sedrak today, either online or by phone.
Comments