Should I be worried about 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.

Is Mohs surgery really 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.

Can Mohs surgery cause cancer to spread?

Based on the biology of skin cancer, we know that there's no association between Mohs surgery and the spreading of any cancer. In fact, Mohs surgery provides the highest cure rates for many types of skin cancers. Mohs surgery allows us to see all the edges and preserve normal healthy tissue comprehensively.

Is Mohs surgery always 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%.

Is Mohs surgery overkill?

There isn't enough time or well-trained Mohs surgeons to treat every cancer that is diagnosed. And in some cases, Mohs surgery is overkill. Many skin cancers are small, non-aggressive, or located in areas of the body where there is a surplus of skin and removing a wider margin is inconsequential.

What Is Mohs 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.”

What are alternatives to Mohs surgery?

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.

Should I see a plastic surgeon after Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery was originally created to help minimize the risk of scarring and the need for additional plastic surgery after cancer removal. However, a percentage of people who get Mohs do require plastic surgery after their skin cancer removal.

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.

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 cancer serious?

Yes, dermatologists occasionally recommend Mohs for treating melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Mohs is only used to treat an early melanoma, and it must be a type of melanoma called lentigo malignant melanoma. This type of melanoma stays close to the surface of the skin for a while.

What are the risks of Mohs surgery?

Is Mohs better than traditional surgery?

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.

When is Mohs surgery recommended?

Mohs surgery is most useful for skin cancers that: Have a high risk of coming back or that have returned after previous treatment. Are in areas where you want to keep as much healthy tissue as possible. This includes areas around the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, feet and genitals.

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.

Why can't you exercise after Mohs surgery?

The longer it takes a wound to heal, the greater the chance of a noticeable scar, and resuming physical activity too soon could also slow the healing process. “You don't want to overdo it because you can pop a suture or stretch the wound site,” said Dr. Platzer.

Can you travel after Mohs surgery?

Please defer airplane travel for at least one to two weeks after your surgery as the rigors of travel may adversely affect healing.

What should you not do before Mohs surgery?

What is the cure rate for Mohs surgery?

It maximizes the chances of removing all of the abnormal cells while still preserving as much of the normal skin tissue as possible. Cure rates for skin cancer using Mohs surgery can reach up to 99%, and the chances of lasting, disfiguring scars are minimal.

Do you have to have a biopsy before Mohs surgery?

Before you have Mohs surgery, your dermatologist performs a biopsy. A biopsy is a sample of tissue that is removed so it can be examined and evaluated. If your biopsy shows cancer, then this usually needs further treatment.

Should I worry if I have basal cell carcinoma?

BCCs rarely spread beyond the original tumor site. But these lesions can grow and become disfiguring and dangerous. Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin and destroy skin, tissue and bone.

Is Mohs surgery the best for skin cancer?

Mohs surgery gives you the highest cure rate and lowest recurrence rate of any skin cancer treatment. The procedure is considered the most effective for treating many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), the two most common types of skin cancer.

Are you a cancer survivor after skin cancer?

Definition of survivor

I'm still here, and I'll continue battling skin cancer with every new spot that appears. That does make me a survivor. And that makes you a survivor if you have or have had skin cancer. Your cancer is not “less than” another type of skin cancer.