Mohs surgery is considered the most precise and successful skin cancer treatment available today. Mohs surgery or Mohs micrographic surgery is the only surgical procedure for skin cancer treatment that ensures the most complete removal of all cancerous cells from the skin while preserving maximum healthy skin and tissue.
At the Warmuth Institute of Dermatology (a part of Schweiger Dermatology Group), Dr. Warmuth is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon. A Mohs surgeon removes the cancerous tissue, analyzes the lab specimens, and closes or reconstructs the wound.
When Mohs Surgery is Indicated
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), one in five Americans will have skin cancer in their lifetime. Mohs surgery is the recommended skin cancer treatment when a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma
Sometimes Mohs surgery is also recommended for patients with early-stage melanoma.
How Mohs Surgery Works
Mohs surgery is performed in stages to ensure the complete removal of cancer cells. The process is as follows:
Recovery from Mohs Surgery
After surgery, you may experience some localized pain, tenderness, and swelling. You may also experience some temporary bleeding from the wound. This is all normal.
Initially, pain medication is recommended for a couple of days after the procedure and then Dr. Warmuth will have you take a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) to control any further pain and swelling. Dr. Warmuth also recommends icing the surgical site to help reduce pain and swelling in addition.
Wound care is also a very important part of recovery. Dr. Warmuth will advise you on how to take care of the wound to keep it clean and prevent infection.
Before you leave the surgery center, Dr. Warmuth’s staff will schedule a follow-up visit with you to see how you are healing. The appointment is usually scheduled within 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Effectiveness of Mohs Surgery
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, Mohs surgery is considered to have the highest cure rate:
Mohs surgery ensures precise results. It is the only type of skin cancer treatment that preserves the maximum amount of healthy tissue.
Benefits of Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery offers several benefits to patients:
Mohs Surgeon in Elmer, NJ
If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and are looking for a Mohs surgeon to handle your skin cancer treatment, please call Warmuth Institute of Dermatology (a part of Schweiger Dermatology Group) at (856) 358-1500 to schedule an appointment.
During the procedure, you are given local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. Once the area is numb, you will not feel any pain during the procedure. However, after the procedure when the anesthesia wears off, it is normal to feel some discomfort and/or pain while the wound heals. Your doctor will recommend appropriate medication to deal with any pain.
Generally, Mohs surgery can take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours, but sometimes longer. It often depends on the size and location of the skin cancer, and how many rounds are needed to eradicate skin cancer cells.
Mohs surgery can leave a scar. Once the procedure is complete, the wound is closed. Small wounds may only need a bandage, but if the wound is too large for a bandage or to stitch close, a skin graft may be performed as a reconstructive solution. It is important to note that some amount of scarring is inevitable.
In some cases of skin cancer, there may be nerve damage due to the cancer and its removal. It is also possible to experience permanent numbness in the treated area.
While results show that recurrence of skin cancer after Mohs surgery is quite rare, you are at a higher risk of getting another skin cancer. It is, therefore, recommended that you set up regular skin cancer screening appointments with Dr. Warmuth and her associates for early detection.