Mohs Surgery Success Rates: What You Need to Know

Posted on: May 15 2023
By: mary

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will develop it.

Fortunately, if caught early, skin cancer can be treated successfully. Mohs surgery is one treatment option for skin cancer with high success rates. In this blog, we’ll explore what Mohs surgery is, how it works, and its success rates.

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is a specialized surgical technique used to remove skin cancer. It was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs and has evolved over the years. The procedure involves removing thin layers of skin tissue and examining them under a microscope to check for cancer cells. This process repeats until no cancer cells remain.

Mohs surgery helps treat skin cancers that are large and aggressive. It also addresses difficult-to-treat areas, such as your:

Face
Ears
Nose

It also works when the cancer has returned after previous treatments.

How Does Mohs Surgery Work?

Mohs surgery usually takes place under local anesthesia. The surgeon will first remove the visible cancerous tissue with a scalpel. Then, they will examine the removed tissue for cancer cells using a microscope. If cancer cells are found, the surgeon will remove another layer of tissue. They will repeat the process until no cancer cells are found.

A significant advantage of Mohs surgery is that it allows the surgeon to remove as little healthy tissue as possible. They can do this while ensuring that all cancer cells are removed. This is especially important for skin cancers in visible areas, such as the face, where scarring is a concern.