The Top Benefits Of Mohs Surgery
Posted on: 28 April 2020
Skin cancer affects one in every five people in the U.S. by the time they reach 70 years of age, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. If you're one of the many Americans who face this diagnosis, take a look at the top reasons to consider mohs surgery.
Cosmetic Outcomes
Instead of the removal of a large area, a mohs procedure only includes the affected tissue. The surgeon will carefully remove layers of cancerous tissue and a small margin of the surrounding skin. This technique can minimize scaring and leave you with a better outcome than other removal options.
Along with scaring issues, a mohs procedure also allows you to preserve healthy tissue. The preservation of surrounding healthy tissue is important in thinner-skinned areas, such as the eyes, mouth, or ears. The surgeon uses a precise approach to removal and will take less tissue from the area. This leaves more tissue and skin to cover the area around the tumor or cancer cells.
Cancer Removal
A mohs procedure can provide peace of mind. You'll know that the doctor removed all the cancerous cells in the area before you leave the office or surgical center. If you have a large or aggressive cancer, your doctor may recommend this type of surgery. Compared to other procedures, mohs has a high cure rate for non-melanoma skin cancers.
Not only will the surgeon remove the entire cancerous area or tumor, but they will also remove a slim surrounding margin. This allows the medical provider to examine the skin and tissue directly around the cancer cells. If the cancer has spread to this tissue, the doctor can remove the affected cells immediately. This reduces the need for a repeat or extra procedure in the near-future.
Less Anesthesia
This type of skin cancer surgery is typically done in an outpatient setting. You won't need general anesthesia for a mohs procedure. Instead, the doctor will give you localized injections to numb the area. This means you won't have to worry about the complications of general anesthesia.
Most mohs patients are able to continue with their normal daily activities after the procedure and won't need to stay in a hospital. Surgeries requiring general anesthesia may involve longer immediate recovery times or a hospital stay.
Mohs surgery has plenty of benefits for skin cancer patients. If you're considering this surgical option, talk to your dermatologist about whether a mohs surgery procedure is right for your individual needs.
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