Is Mohs surgery worse than excision?

The process of evaluating skin tissue in stages allows 100 percent of the tissue to be examined, where in traditional excision, only 1 percent of the edges are examined under a microscope. This ensures that 100 percent of the skin cancer is removed during Mohs surgery, resulting in a cure rate above 98 percent.

What is the difference between skin cancer excision and Mohs?

The Mohs process examines 100 percent of the tissue margins under the microscope, whereas in standard surgical excision only 1 percent of the margins are examined microscopically. Mohs surgery also conserves the greatest amount of healthy tissue, giving you the smallest scar possible.

Which is better Mohs micrographic surgery or wide local excision?

Current guidelines recommend wide local excision (WLE) with 1 to 2 cm margins. However, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) offers a potential advantage over WLE because of its ability of sparing healthy tissue and assessing 100% of margins.

How serious is Mohs surgery?

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.

Does Mohs surgery leave a hole?

Mohs surgery will leave a hole that is usually closed with stitches. Sometimes, if the removed spot is very small, the hole will be covered with a bandage and left to heal on its own.

The Difference Between Excision, Staged Excision

Do you always need stitches after Mohs surgery?

There are several options to repair the wound once the cancer is removed. Some wounds may be allowed to heal on their own. Most require stitches to close the wound. Some areas of the body do not have enough skin to stretch to cover a wound and require either a skin graft or skin flap to be used.

Is Mohs surgery better than excision?

The process of evaluating skin tissue in stages allows 100 percent of the tissue to be examined, where in traditional excision, only 1 percent of the edges are examined under a microscope. This ensures that 100 percent of the skin cancer is removed during Mohs surgery, resulting in a cure rate above 98 percent.

What are the pros and cons of Mohs surgery?

Pros: This procedure is very effective. It results in minimal damage to the surrounding skin and the smallest possible wound. Cons: Mohs Surgery is not effective for melanoma skin cancers. Some patients experience bleeding from the wound, minor pain, and tenderness around the surgical site and infection.

What is the alternative to Mohs surgery?

Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C)

ED&C is the most common alternative to Mohs surgery. In this procedure, cancerous tissue is scraped off using a curette, and any remaining cancer cells are destroyed with an electric current. This technique can be used to treat small tumors on the face, neck, hands, and feet.

How long should you rest after Mohs surgery?

We recommend you limit vigorous physical activity, excessive bending over or exercise for seven days after your Mohs surgery to allow your wound to heal and prevent bleeding or damage to your stitches. Sutures are usually removed five to 10 days after surgery.

Should I get a second opinion before Mohs surgery?

One of the most common reasons skin cancer patients seek a second diagnosis is for potential reconstructive surgery, says Dr. Perez. “I always suggest a patient get a second opinion when they ask if a plastic surgeon will do a better job in closing the wound.”

Why is the incision so long for Mohs surgery?

Patients see the diameter of the lesion and assume the incision won't be much bigger than that. But because the lesions are generally circular, surgeons need to extend the incision so the skin will lie flat when the edges are closed.

How many stitches do you get for Mohs surgery?

Just A Couple Stitches

Adam Mamelak, board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon in Austin, Texas. While a patient may feel that one or two stitches are all that's needed, 10 or more may in fact be required to close their skin.

Is Mohs surgery painful?

Because it's less invasive, most of the time patients are awake during Mohs surgery. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic, so you won't feel a thing. The surgery itself is pain-free. Again, it's very precise, removing only the cancerous tissue.

Does cancer return after Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is known to have lower recurrence rate compared to conventional wide excision for removal of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. However, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma does sometimes recur—even after Mohs surgery.

Can skin cancer return after Mohs surgery?

Mohs is often used to treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. Can skin cancer come back after Mohs? Yes, but it is very unlikely, especially with removal from the area's top Mohs specialist.

Is Mohs surgery worth it?

Mohs surgery is highly effective at removing skin cancer because the edges of the removed cancer tissue are checked much more thoroughly under the microscope than with regular surgery. In addition to being effective, the Mohs procedure allows the surgeon to leave behind normal skin and remove less healthy tissue.

What happens if Mohs surgery doesn't work?

However, when Mohs surgery fails, the result can be chronic symptoms, multiple treatments, functional impairment and potentially fatal outcomes. "If cancers recur after Mohs surgery and act aggressively, the surgeon has to make sure that he manages patient and family expectations.

What problems can occur after Mohs surgery?

Problems that can happen during and after Mohs surgery include: Bleeding. Pain or tenderness around the places where surgery was done. Infection.

Why not do Mohs surgery?

Melanoma removal and why Mohs surgery isn't suitable

The main reason is that melanoma is a far more aggressive form of cancer, and even after removal, there are chances it can reoccur. Reasons for this being that the removed tissue may not catch all the cancer cells.

What should you not do before Mohs surgery?

Does it hurt to have stitches removed after Mohs surgery?

Once the skin has adequately healed, the stitches are removed. While most patients feel a bit anxious about having their stitches removed, the procedure does not typically cause any pain.

What is the best surgery for basal cell carcinoma?

Mohs surgery is considered the most effective technique for treating many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), the two most common types of skin cancer. Sometimes called Mohs micrographic surgery, the procedure is done in stages, including lab work, while the patient waits.

How long does it take for skin to heal after excision?

Most wounds take 1 to 3 weeks to heal. If a large area of skin was removed, you may have a skin graft. In that case, healing may take longer. Some soreness around the site of the wound is normal.

What is the cure rate of Mohs surgery?

Since its development, Mohs surgery has been refined into the most precise and advanced treatment for skin cancer, yielding success rates up to 99%.