Non-Cosmetic Services
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Mohs Surgery
What is Mohs Surgery?
Named for Dr. Frederick Mohs, a professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin in the 1940s, Mohs surgery is a highly specialized treatment for the total removal of skin cancers. The procedure uses a microscope to determine the extent and location of the tumor.
The major advantage of Mohs' surgery over other types of surgery are:
- Complete removal of the tumor with minimal loss of normal skin
- A cure rate of approximately 98 percent – a rate substantially higher than any other mode of treatment
When is Mohs surgery recommended?
Mohs surgery is ideal when:
- Skin cancer has recurred after previous treatment
- Skin cancer is in a difficult site especially around the nose, eyes, lips and ears
What are the benefits?
Mohs surgery ensures that all cancerous cells are removed and as much healthy skin as possible is preserved.
Why is it important that all the cancerous cells are removed?
If cancer cells are left behind at the time of initial surgery, a very high chance that the cancer will recur exists. When this happens, the cancer often grows for a substantial period of time underneath the scar and may not be visible on the skin for many years -- making subsequent treatment much more extensive and difficult.