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A surgery involving cutting away thin layers of the skin to look for signs of — or to treat — skin cancer. This micrographic surgery has a high cure rate and minimizes damage to healthy skin.
What is it?
Mohs surgery is widely known as the most successful method for treating prevalent non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. This procedure effectively removes cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue, resulting in minimal scarring. After our fellowship-treained Mohs surgeon removes a thin layer of affected tissue, our pathologist examines the cells under a microscope to see if they are cancerous. As soon as the surgeon reaches cancer-free areas, the surgery stops, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Due to its impressive success rate, Mohs surgery is predominantly suggested for patients with high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers. High-risk skin cancers are often located on the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, hands, feet and genitals.
What to expect
Mohs surgery involves a thorough process aimed at eliminating skin cancer layer by layer while conserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Thin layers of skin are removed and examined under a microscope until no cancerous cells remain. Local anesthesia is commonly administered directly to the area to minimize discomfort during the procedure. Following surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, typically manageable with pain medication and proper wound care. Follow-up appointments may be required to monitor healing progress and verify the procedure's success.
At Mountain State Dermatology, our fellowship trained Mohs surgeons have undergone extensive training and have decades of experience. Call our offices today to book a consultation with one of our board-certified Mohs surgeons, serving the Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Elkins, Hurricane, Morgantown, Parkersburg, South Charleston and Wheeling, West Virginia; in Waynesburg and Uniontown, Pennsylvania or in Marietta, Ohio areas.