Why is it called Mohs surgery?

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is named after its founder and originator, Frederic E. Mohs, MD (1910-2002). As a medical student from 1929 to 1934, Dr. Mohs conducted cancer research projects while working for his mentor and zoology professor, Michael Guyer.

What does Mohs stand for?

The acronym MOHS, micrographically oriented histographic surgery, has also been proposed, but it has not achieved widespread recognition. Changes in nomenclature have also occurred in the Mohs College as the terminology has evolved. The first annual meeting of the American College of Chemosurgery occurred in 1967.

What is the difference between Mohs surgery and regular 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.

What is the difference between Mohs surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery?

Overview. Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique used to treat skin cancer. During Mohs surgery, thin layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined until only cancer-free tissue remains. Mohs surgery is also known as Mohs micrographic surgery.

Is Mohs procedure considered surgery?

Mohs surgery is a highly specialized technique in dermatologic surgery for treating skin cancer. The procedure is named for Frederick E. Mohs, the surgeon who developed the technique, and is also known as Mohs micrographic surgery.

What is Mohs Surgery?

Why am I so tired after Mohs?

It is common for patients to feel tired by the end of the surgery, particularly if multiple stages have been taken, or if there was an involved repair. We do recommend that you have a driver available to take you home. Most of our patients prefer not to work in the afternoon of surgery.

Can you pick off a basal cell carcinoma?

Note the red color and the almost pearlescent look. These cancers seldom metastasize but can grow larger - and so should be removed. To minimize scarring and disfigurement, a basal cell carcinoma on the face should generally be taken off with a specialized form of surgery called Mohs.

Why does Mohs surgery take so long?

Mohs surgery is a painstaking procedure. It requires microscopic analysis of tissue cells while the surgery is taking place. The borders of each thin layer of tissue are analyzed for potential malignancy as they are removed horizontally.

Do you get stitches after Mohs surgery?

Stitches on the face or neck are usually removed within 7-10 days. Stitches on the ears, scalp, limbs, chest and back are usually removed within 14 days. The scar is tightened in about a month. The postoperative wound heals in 4-6 weeks.

Is Mohs surgery only done on face?

Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treating many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), including those in cosmetically and functionally important areas around the eyes, nose, lips, ears, scalp, fingers, toes or genitals.

Can you just leave basal cell carcinoma untreated?

Leaving Basal Cell Carcinoma Untreated

While death is a rare consequence there is the potential for disfigurement. Over time basal cell carcinoma can expand and cause ulcers and damage the skin and tissues. Any damage could be permanent and have an impact on the way you look.

Is Mohs always necessary?

Mohs surgery may be recommended by doctors for treating skin cancers in these cosmetically challenging locations, as well as other areas of the body. The good news is that when detected and treated early, the vast majority of skin cancers are curable.

How long does it take for a Mohs surgery to heal?

Daily care of the wound is required. Depending upon the size, may take up to 4 to 6 weeks for the wound to heal completely, but infection, bleeding and pain are uncommon.

Do you need plastic surgery 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.

Why is Mohs surgery not used for melanoma?

While standard of care for non-melanoma skin cancers, Mohs surgery is used less frequently for melanoma in situ because melanoma is far more aggressive (and likely to spread) than other types of skin cancer.

Will my hair grow back after Mohs surgery on scalp?

A skin graft allows for larger coverage and helps protect the surgical area; however, due to the nature of skin grafts, they usually do not allow hair to regrow in the reconstructed area without further treatment.

Does Mohs surgery leave a hole?

Once the skin cancer is completely removed during the Mohs procedure, you then have a "hole" or "defect" from the excision that is then closed, usually with stitches.

What are the warning signs of basal cell carcinoma?

Will I get a black eye after Mohs surgery?

Swelling and bruising are common following Mohs surgery. A black eye is common with surgery around the eye or on the forehead and can be reduced by sleeping with your head elevated and using an ice pack. You should plan on wearing a bandage and avoiding strenuous physical activity for several weeks.

What happens if you ignore basal cell carcinoma?

In particular, BCCs rarely spread beyond the initial tumor site. However, left untreated, BCCs can grow deeper into the skin and damage surrounding skin, tissue, and bone. Occasionally, a BCC can become aggressive, spreading to other parts of the body and even becoming life threatening.

What is an alternative to Mohs surgery?

Radiotherapy is a less-invasive alternative to Mohs surgery. It involves the use of X-ray energy to kill skin cancer cells.

How long do I wear a bandage after Mohs surgery?

Your wound will be covered with a bulky bandage called a pressure dressing. This should be left in place for 24 hours and kept dry.

Does basal cell carcinoma grow deep?

Basal cell carcinoma spreads very slowly and very rarely will metastasize, Dr. Christensen says. But if it's not treated, basal cell carcinoma can continue to grow deeper under the skin and cause significant destruction to surrounding tissues.

What is the average size of a basal cell carcinoma?

Average diameter of lesions was 12.2 mm; the biggest lesion measured 5.3 cm, the smallest 0.2 cm. Margins taken were 3 to 5 mm on cervico-facial area, 2-3 mm on noble areas as lips, ears, and eyelid and 5 to 10 mm on other areas.

Which is more serious basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma?

Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize). Treated early, the cure rate is over 90%, but metastases occur in 1%–5% of cases. After it has metastasized, it's very difficult to treat.