Mohs Surgery Specialist

What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is a precise, micrographic procedure during which your provider removes a cancerous skin growth one thin layer at a time. The fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon at All Island Dermatology acts as both surgeon and pathologist during the surgery, providing this specialized skin treatment. They carefully remove a piece of the cancerous growth and examine it under a microscope before removing another sliver.

The provider stops removing tissue when there is no longer any sign of cancer cells. This ensures that the surgeon removes all of the cancerous cells as well as minimizes the amount of healthy tissue they excise.

When is Mohs surgery the best treatment for skin cancer?

Mohs surgery is the most effective surgery to remove basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma with a 99% cure rate. Additionally, the procedure leaves minimal scarring, which is essential if your skin cancer is on a highly visible part of your body such as your face. Mohs surgery is also an excellent option if you have skin cancer on a part of your body with very little flesh, such as your ankle.

What happens during Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is a single visit, outpatient procedure, although the method can take several hours. The team at All Island Dermatology performs Mohs surgery with a local anesthetic, and you stay awake throughout the process.

During your surgery, your provider places a surgical drape around the skin cancer growth and thoroughly numbs the area with a local anesthetic. Then, using a scalpel, your surgeon removes a thin layer of the cancer cells. They examine the cells with a microscope before removing another sliver of your skin cancer.

Your surgeon repeats this process until the small pieces of removed tissue don’t include any cancerous cells. They carefully examine the margins for any signs of cancer before closing your incision site.

What are the benefits of Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is the gold standard for skin cancer treatment. It has an extremely high cure rate while sparing healthy tissue. Mohs surgery also results in minimal scarring. While the operation may take a long time, your provider completes it in a single visit, and you only need a local anesthetic.

If you’re concerned about skin cancer, call All Island Dermatology or schedule a consultation online today to find out if Mohs surgery is right for you.