The Benefits of Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer

When skin cancer develops, choosing the right treatment is an important decision. For certain basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and other skin cancers, Mohs surgery can provide an effective treatment option while helping preserve as much healthy skin as possible.

At Beacon Skin & Surgeries, Mohs surgery may be recommended when a skin cancer has characteristics that make precise removal particularly important. The procedure combines surgical removal with microscopic examination of the tissue, allowing the surgeon to carefully check the margins during treatment.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized technique used to remove certain types of skin cancer. Instead of removing the tumor and a large margin of surrounding tissue all at once, the surgeon removes the cancer in thin layers.

Each layer is examined under a microscope to look for remaining cancer cells. If cancer is still present at the edge of the tissue, another thin layer is removed from the specific area where cancer cells remain.

This process continues until the examined tissue shows no remaining cancer cells.

What Are the Benefits of Mohs Surgery?

1. High Cure Rates

One of the primary benefits of Mohs surgery is its high rate of effectiveness for appropriately selected skin cancers.

Because the tissue margins are examined during the procedure, Mohs surgery allows the surgeon to continue removing tissue until the cancer has been cleared microscopically. This can be particularly valuable for skin cancers that have a higher risk of recurrence.

2. Preserves More Healthy Skin

Mohs surgery is designed to remove the cancer while preserving as much surrounding healthy tissue as possible.

Rather than automatically removing a predetermined amount of tissue around the tumor, the surgeon evaluates the cancer layer by layer. This tissue-sparing approach can be especially beneficial when skin cancer occurs near important or highly visible areas of the body.

3. An Excellent Option for Visible Areas

Skin cancers frequently develop on areas such as the:

• Nose
• Eyelids
• Ears
• Lips
• Cheeks
• Forehead
• Scalp
• Other areas of the face

When skin cancer develops in these locations, preserving healthy tissue can be important for both appearance and function.

Mohs surgery can help minimize unnecessary tissue removal while still providing thorough treatment of the cancer.

4. The Surgical Margins Are Checked During Treatment

A major advantage of Mohs surgery is that the tissue is examined while the patient is still at the surgical appointment.

With some other forms of skin cancer surgery, the removed tissue may be sent to a laboratory for examination after the procedure. Mohs surgery incorporates microscopic margin examination directly into the treatment process.

This allows the surgeon to identify areas where cancer cells remain and remove additional tissue only when necessary.

5. May Reduce the Amount of Tissue Removed

Because Mohs surgery examines the tumor margins so carefully, it may reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed compared with some traditional surgical approaches.

This can be particularly important when treating skin cancer in areas where there is limited skin available for reconstruction.

6. Particularly Useful for Certain Recurrent Skin Cancers

Skin cancers that return after previous treatment can sometimes be more difficult to treat.

Mohs surgery may be recommended for certain recurrent cancers because the technique allows the surgeon to carefully evaluate the edges of the tumor and track areas where cancer cells remain.

7. Can Help Produce Favorable Cosmetic Results

Whenever skin cancer is removed, there will be some degree of scarring. However, preserving healthy tissue can help minimize the size of the surgical defect in appropriate cases.

Once the cancer has been completely removed, the surgical site can be repaired using a technique appropriate for its size and location.

The ultimate appearance of the scar depends on many factors, including the size and location of the cancer, the type of repair required, and how an individual’s skin heals.

Is Mohs Surgery Right for Every Skin Cancer?

No. Mohs surgery isn’t necessary or appropriate for every skin cancer.

The best treatment depends on factors such as the type of skin cancer, size, location, depth, growth pattern, whether it has returned, and the patient’s individual circumstances.

Your dermatologist can evaluate the skin cancer and determine whether Mohs surgery or another treatment approach is appropriate.

What Can You Expect During Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is generally performed using local anesthesia, meaning the treatment area is numbed while you remain awake.

The surgeon removes the visible cancer along with a thin layer of surrounding tissue. The tissue is then prepared and examined under a microscope.

If cancer cells are found at the margins, another layer is removed from the corresponding area. This process continues until the margins are clear.

After the cancer has been completely removed, the surgeon determines the most appropriate way to manage the surgical site. Depending on the size and location, the area may be allowed to heal naturally, closed with stitches, or repaired using another reconstructive technique.

Why Early Skin Cancer Treatment Matters

Skin cancers can sometimes grow slowly, but delaying evaluation or treatment can allow a cancer to become larger and potentially more difficult to treat.

Regular skin examinations and prompt evaluation of suspicious changes can help identify skin cancer earlier.

Contact your dermatologist if you notice a new or changing growth, a sore that does not heal, a spot that repeatedly bleeds or crusts, or a lesion that continues to change in appearance.

Schedule a Skin Cancer Evaluation

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer or have a suspicious skin lesion, a dermatologist can help you understand your treatment options.

Beacon Skin & Surgeries provides comprehensive dermatologic care and can help determine whether Mohs surgery may be an appropriate treatment option for your skin cancer.

Don’t ignore a changing or suspicious skin lesion. Schedule an appointment with Beacon Skin & Surgeries to have your skin evaluated and discuss the treatment options available to you. You may also click here to learn more about our Mohs surgeries.