Because of its high cure rate, Mohs surgery is now recommended as the treatment of choice for high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers. Cancers on the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, hands, feet and genitals (some skin cancers are related to genetics or other causes rather than UV exposure) are all considered high-risk.

Is Mohs surgery necessary?

Mohs surgery may be recommended by doctors for treating skin cancers in these cosmetically challenging locations, as well as other areas of the body. The good news is that when detected and treated early, the vast majority of skin cancers are curable.

Is Mohs surgery the best option?

Mohs surgery is speedy and efficient, but is also one of the most effective forms of treatment for certain types of skin cancer. For a standard skin tumor that's being treated for the first time, the success rates are as high as 98 to 99 percent.

Is Mohs surgery serious?

Mohs surgery is generally considered very safe, but there are some risks: Bleeding from the site of surgery. Bleeding into the wound (hematoma) from surrounding tissue. Pain or tenderness in the area where skin was removed.

When should Mohs surgery be used?

Mohs surgery is used to treat the most common skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as some kinds of melanoma and other more unusual skin cancers. Mohs surgery is especially useful for skin cancers that: Have a high risk of recurrence or that have recurred after previous treatment.

Mohs Reconstructive Surgery: What Patients Need to Know

Are there alternatives to Mohs?

There is now a new, non-surgical alternative to Mohs surgery available for skin care patients. The SRT-100™ is a state-of-the-art device that delivers a precise, calibrated dose of Superficial Radiation Therapy that only goes skin deep.

What are the side effects of Mohs surgery?

• Pain, tenderness, or a burning sensation of the wound and the surrounding skin.
• Bleeding and bruising.
• Infection.
• Swelling.
• Scarring.
• Numbness or nerve damage to the skin surrounding the wound (nerve damage may last for several months, or in some cases may be permanent)

What happens if you don't have Mohs surgery?

Without treatment, a basal cell carcinoma could grow -- slowly -- to encompass a large area of skin on your body. In addition, basal cell carcinoma has the potential to cause ulcers and permanently damage the skin and surrounding tissues.

What's worse basal cell or squamous?

Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize).

Does Mohs surgery hurt?

Pain management

Mohs surgery uses a local anesthesia, which numbs only the area being worked on. You may feel some discomfort when the anesthesia is injected, but this usually lasts only a few seconds. Once the area is numb, the surgery itself should not be painful.

When is Mohs not necessary?

Mohs surgery is not necessary for all skin cancers, but it is useful when: The location of the skin cancer is near areas that are important for daily activities, like the fingers, or for appearance, like the nose; Earlier treatments have not worked; A tumor is large; and.

Is Mohs surgery a big deal?

Mohs surgery is still the most successful and least invasive technique for removing skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It's also used successfully in some melanoma cases. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Is Mohs surgery disfiguring?

Among the most effective skin cancer surgical treatments is Mohs, which can be disfiguring and nearly always requires reconstructive surgery. Dr. Chariker is highly experienced in reconstructive surgery following a Mohs procedure.

What happens if you leave a BCC untreated?

BCC accounts for more than three-quarters (75%) of all skin cancers. Most basal cell carcinomas are slow-growing and almost never spread to other parts of the body. However, if they are left untreated they can damage or destroy the skin and surrounding tissues and cause an ulcer known as a rodent ulcer.

Does insurance cover Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare. Please enlist the aid of your employee benefits administrator and/or physician's billing specialist to determine estimated out-of-pocket expenses.

Can I drive home after Mohs surgery?

If no cancer is seen, the skin can be repaired, bandaged and the patient is sent home cancer free. The patient will then be free to drive themselves home if they feel comfortable.

What kind of anesthesia is used for Mohs surgery?

Lidocaine is the most commonly used anesthetic used in Mohs given its rapid onset of action. However, the duration of lidocaine's effect is much shorter than bupivacaine, which may translate into increased postoperative pain.

What tool is used for Mohs surgery?

Surgical equipment is relatively simple, consisting of a scalpel, fine forceps, scissors, gauze, and an electrosurgical device for coagulation. Reconstruction can be achieved with an expanded tray that includes needle holders, scissors, fine forceps, skin hooks, and a scalpel.

How long does it take to heal from Mohs surgery?

Daily care of the wound is required. Depending upon the size, may take up to 4 to 6 weeks for the wound to heal completely, but infection, bleeding and pain are uncommon.

Can you pick off a basal cell carcinoma?

Yes, you might be able to pick this crusty lesion off with your fingers. But it would grow back. The right thing to do is see a dermatologist and have it removed.

Can basal cell carcinoma go away on its own?

Basal cell carcinomas may appear to heal on their own but inevitably will recur.

Should BCC be removed?

If you do have a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), further surgery to remove a safety margin of normal skin around the site of the growth is generally necessary to ensure complete removal.

Is Mohs surgery successful?

Since its development, Mohs surgery has been refined into the most precise and advanced treatment for skin cancer, yielding success rates up to 99 percent. Mohs surgery is so effective because 100 percent of the surgical margins are evaluated, compared with less than 5 percent by traditional techniques.

What is the cost of Mohs surgery?

An average cost for Mohs surgery is $1,000 to $2,000. The cost will depend on the size of the cancer and the amount of tissue removed.

How long is a Mohs fellowship?

A fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon has completed four years of college and four years of medical school (MD), followed by a one-year internship and a three-year dermatology residency, and then one to two years of Mohs micrographic surgery fellowship training with an accredited American College of Mohs ...