Do you love soaking in the sun? Have you had sunburns? Hearing of a skin cancer diagnosis can be devastating for any patient! We, at Synergi, may recommend Mohs surgery, which is a promising procedure with excellent outcomes.

Skin Cancer Explained

Most skin cancers are malignant growths of the skin originating from the cells of the epidermis, the superficial layer of the skin. Unlike cutaneous malignant melanoma, most of these types of skin cancers are not life-threatening and rarely spread to various parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes.

There are three primary types of skin cancer tumors. The first and most common is basal cell carcinoma. The second is squamous cell carcinoma, which often results from the presence of actinic keratoses. The most dangerous and least common type of skin cancer is melanoma.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery (Mohs micrographic surgery) is an effective treatment for some forms of skin cancer including many basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, especially those on the face, scalp, fingers, toes, or genitals. The procedure involves progressively removing thin layers of skin containing the cancer cells and examining them in the lab while the patient waits. That allows for the removal of all cancerous cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue, leaving the smallest possible scar, and achieving the highest cure rate!

Is Mohs Surgery Right For You?

You may be advised to consider Mohs surgery if you treated your skin cancer previously, and it has returned, if it does not have defined edges, if it located near scar tissue, or if it is growing rapidly and uncontrollably. The procedure also treats skin cancer that is an aggressive subtype such as sclerosing or infiltrating basal skin carcinoma. Mohs surgery is effective in treating specific cases of melanoma.

After removal of facial skin cancer one can be left with a facial defect requiring a complex repair to make the area look as good as possible. Although that part of the face will never look exactly the same, Dr. Maack will use many advanced methods to repair the area including skin advancement and rotation flaps, skin grafts, dermabrasion, lasers, and scar creams. Often after healing is complete it is challenging to locate the previous skin cancer site.

Dr. Maack works very closely with multiple MOHS dermatologic surgeons in the area. Our office will coordinate the closure of the facial skin defect after the removal. This is usually on the same day but could be a day or two later. Dr. Maack and his staff will work closely with you during the entire procedure and recovery. 

Contact us at Synergi to learn more about Mohs surgery and if it is right for you. We look forward to helping you enjoy a healthy, happy life. Call us today!