Mohs Surgery

An Advanced Method of Skin Cancer Removal

At Schweiger Dermatology, we are proud to offer our patients Mohs micrographic surgery, an advanced method to safely and effectively remove cancer from the skin. Mohs surgery improves upon the standard method of skin cancer removal, which is called local excision. During local excision, the visible cancer cells are removed along with a minimal margin of healthy skin tissue. In Mohs surgery, the dermatologic surgeon removes one layer of the afflicted skin at a time and then examines it for any remaining cancer cells. This process allows for the smallest amount of healthy tissue to be removed. The surgery is over once the cancer cells cease to be detected.

Why Mohs Surgery is Performed at Schweiger Dermatology

We think Mohs micrographic surgery is an important procedure to offer because it is the most advanced way to treat skin cancers with borders that do not have a clear definition as well as skin cancers that are larger and more aggressive. Mohs surgery is also vastly helpful for removing skin cancers that appear on parts of the body that you want to keep as much healthy tissue in tact as possible, such as the mouth, eyes, ears, hands, feet, hairline and genitals.

What to Expect During Mohs Surgery

You will have a pre-procedure consultation with your Mohs surgeon to go over the necessary preparations. It’s important to take time off from your schedule for the entire day, as it’s impossible to know how long your Mohs procedure will take. You will also want to wear comfortable clothing and bring along reading materials to help pass the time. At Schweiger Dermatology, we offer complimentary use of iPads during your procedure. The area being treated will require injections of local anesthesia. The Mohs surgeon will then remove the visible area of skin cancer with a layer of thin tissue underneath. Your tissue sample will then be analyzed to check for any more cancer. This process is continued until all tissue is found to be cancer-free. Once the cancer has been surgically removed, your wound will either be left to heal on its own or it will be closed with stitches or a skin graft or skin flap will be used to cover it.

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