Receiving a cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly a frightening experience. Among the various types of cancer, skin cancer stands as the most prevalent in the United States. The three most common forms of this disease are Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. While Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas are treatable, they can be expensive to address and may result in disfigurement. Melanoma, on the other hand, is the most severe form and, if left untreated, has the potential to metastasize to internal organs, leading to fatality. Although ongoing research continues to explore ways to eradicate cancer from the body, there exists a treatment for skin cancer that has been in use for several years: Mohs Micrographic Surgery, also referred to as Mohs Surgery.
Understanding Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery, originally known as Chemosurgery, was developed by Fredric E. Mohs in the 1930s. However, it was later renamed in the 1960s to honor its founder when dermatologist Perry Robins M.D. collaborated with Mohs to improve the procedure. Over the years, Mohs Surgery has gained popularity and is now widely used for the treatment of Basal and Squamous Skin Cell Carcinoma.
One of the key advantages of Mohs Surgery is its cost-effectiveness. Moreover, it offers patients a high cure rate, with approximately 99 percent success in initial treatments and 94 percent in cases of recurring disease after previous treatments. While Mohs Surgery has shown some success in treating certain Melanoma Cancers, it is not highly recommended for this type of cancer due to its tendency to spread deep into the skin and organs.
Understanding the Mohs Surgery Procedure
Mohs Surgery is a specialized outpatient procedure performed by a highly skilled surgeon who is trained in the Mohs Micrographic Surgery Procedure, Pathology, and reconstructive surgery. This article will provide an overview of the steps involved in the Mohs Surgery procedure.
First, the surgeon marks the area affected by cancer in preparation for the surgery. The marked area is then injected with a local anesthetic to numb the specific spot. Once the anesthetic takes effect, the surgeon begins by removing a thin top layer of cancerous tissue.
After the removal of the layer, it is sent to an on-site lab for further examination. A lab technician freezes and cuts the tissue so that the surgeon can examine it under a microscope. This step is crucial in determining if any cancer cells still exist.
If cancer cells are still present, the surgeon proceeds to remove another layer of tissue, and the process is repeated. This iterative process continues until no cancer cells are detected in the removed tissue.
During the surgery, if the wound is relatively small, the surgeon may stitch the area to facilitate healing. However, for larger wounds, a reconstructive repair may be necessary.
Once the surgeon is confident that all cancer cells have been removed, the procedure is considered complete. The patient is then discharged and can go home, knowing that they are now cancer-free.