Mohs Surgery Specialist
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Dermatology Specialists of Gainesville
Dermatologists located in Newberry, FL & Chiefland, FL
Once you receive a diagnosis of skin cancer, the next step is exploring treatment options to find the approach best suited to your needs. Mohs micrographic surgery is an excellent option and is among the services provided by Dr. Christina Mitchell and Dr. Daven Doshi with Dermatology Specialists of Gainesville in Newberry, Florida. If you’re searching for skin cancer treatment options, schedule an appointment today. Online booking is available, or you can call or stop by the office to set up your visit.
Mohs Surgery Q & A
What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is a treatment for basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. The process involves removing thin layers of tissue and checking for signs of cellular abnormalities before moving on to the next layer.
This approach is an effective way to remove all signs of cancer while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. It was developed by a physician named Frederic E. Mohs in the late 1930s and advanced by a dermatologist named Perry Robins in the 1960s.
What happens during Mohs surgery?
You’ll remain awake and alert throughout the procedure, but the treatment area is numbed with a local anesthetic so you’re comfortable from start to finish. Your dermatologist begins by excising any skin that has clearly visible signs of cancer.
Next, a small amount of nearby skin is removed with a scalpel. A temporary bandage is applied while the removed cells are examined under a microscope. If cancerous cells are observed your doctor returns and removes another thin layer of cells. That process repeats until a cancer-free sample has been obtained.
At that point, your dermatologist decides the best way to care for your wound. In some cases, the area can simply be bandaged as the healing process moves forward. In other instances, a few stitches are needed, and some procedures require a skin graft to achieve the best possible results.
Is Mohs surgery right for me?
This treatment option is a great fit for many cases, especially where skin cancer is present in areas where there is very little tissue present beneath the lesion. Examples include:
- Eyelid
- Nose
- Scalp
- Genitals
- Ear
- Foot
- Hand
Mohs surgery is also a good fit for skin cancers that are large or aggressive or that have returned after prior treatment efforts. This approach is sometimes used to treat certain types of melanoma that remain close to the surface of your skin in the early stages. When used to treat melanoma the waiting time between cell removal is around one day to allow a more in-depth cell evaluation.
If you have questions or concerns about Mohs surgery or other skin cancer treatments, schedule a consultation today to learn more. You can set up a visit online or over the phone.
