Skin cancer is a potentially-fatal condition that is caused due to exposure to ultraviolet sunlight. Patients who suspect that they have skin cancer need a biopsy to assess the growth. An oncologist provides this assessment. Once they are diagnosed, the oncologist schedules the surgical removal of the growth. The mohs micrographic surgery is a viable procedure for removing skin cancer.
What is MOHS Surgery?
This surgery is considered highly effective in eliminating skin cancer. It presents the highest success rate for curing skin cancer. The Mohs Surgery requires a lengthy process to complete. However, it has been considered the most beneficial choice for preventing future occurrences of the disease.
How is it Performed?
An assessment of the skin cancer is performed to define its parameters. The surgeon begins by removing all visible tumors. Next, the surrounding skin is opened and sectioned. Each section is dyed and color coded. The surgeon makes the area to perform the remainder of the procedure.
The surgeon assesses these sections under a microscope. If they discover any further tumors, they use the mapping to remove additional layers of skin. All skin and tissue in which cancer was found are removed. The surgeon takes a more minimalist approach to prevent the removal of any health skin or tissue surrounding the mapped area.
How Long Does It Take?
The procedure takes up to two hours to complete if additional skin cancer is discovered. The initial assessment takes about thirty minutes only. However, advance skin cancer requires as many as three procedures to remove completely.
Possible Effects After Surgery
Patients may experience pain and discomfort after the procedure. The patient should take over-the-counter pain medication to manage the pain. The surgeon may provide prescription pain medications if the patient is extensive.
Bleeding, swelling, and bruising are also probable after the procedure. These conditions are to be expected after the mohs surgery. The patient should use cool compresses and applied pressure to reduce the effects of these conditions. If they become excessive, the patient should contact their surgeon and acquire immediate medical attention. If an infection develops, they will need additional medication to treat it.
Skin cancer can become painful and is life-threatening. Patients who discover a growth that could be skin cancer need immediate assessments. The mohs surgery is a procedure offered today to provide a cure for this condition. Patients who need surgical removal of skin cancer should schedule an appointment now.
Mohs Surgery 