What skin cancer requires Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is a surgical procedure that involves removing skin cancer by removing thin layers of skin and examining each layer under a microscope. It is considered the gold standard treatment for high-risk skin cancers. Mohs surgery can treat basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
The cancer is removed layer by layer in Mohs surgery treatment, and after each layer is removed, the tissue is examined under a microscope to confirm that all cancer cells have been removed. A dermatologist can help treat skin cancer and perform Mohs surgery.
Mohs Surgery: When Do You Need This Skin Cancer Treatment?
Mohs surgery is used to treat skin cancer and includes common types of skin cancer treatment, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It can also be recommended to treat melanoma and other less-common skin cancers.
Mohs surgical procedure is most useful for skin cancers that have a high risk of coming back or that have returned after previous treatment. Also, skin cancers that have edges that are hard to define and are large or growing quickly can be treated with this skin cancer treatment.
Mohs skin cancer treatment is mostly recommended by dermatologists for the areas where they want to keep as much healthy tissue as possible, including areas around the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and genitals.
Risks Associated With Mohs Surgery
Like every other procedure, Mohs surgery has also some risks, including:
- A larger than expected scar, or a raised red scar.
- Excessive bleeding or bleeding at the surgical site.
- Infection
- Temporary or permanent numbness or burning sensation in the surgical area.
- The tumour may regrow after removal, especially if the tumour was previously treated or large.
- Discomfort or pain in the surgical site is a common side effect.
Some side effects are common and an expert dermatologist can help.
Mohs Surgery: How Effective Is It?
Mohs surgery is a highly effective treatment for skin cancer with success rates of up to 99%. It is the most precise and advanced treatment for skin cancer. Here is what you need to know about the effectiveness of Mohs surgery:
Who Is It For
Although Mohs surgery is mainly for treating skin cancer, it can also be used to treat penile cancer and mouth cancer. People with skin cancer in areas where tissue conservation is important, such as the face, head, neck, fingers, and genitals, need Mohs surgery. The large or aggressive tumour also needs Mohs skin cancer treatment.
Benefits of Mohs Surgery
Here are the benefits of Mohs surgery:
- Mohs surgery has a cure rate of up to 99% for basal cell carcinoma and 95% to 99% for squamous cell carcinoma.
- It removes only the cancer and a thin layer of tissue around it.
- Minimally invasive procedure that leaves small scars.
- Performed under local anesthetic and you can go home the same day.
- It can be used to treat skin cancer on the face, eyes, ears, nose, throat, fingers, toes, and genitals.
Success Rates Of Mohs Surgery For Melanoma
Mohs surgery has very high success rates for treating melanoma, with cure rates often reported to be around 99%, making it considered the gold standard for treating most skin cancers, including early-stage melanoma. This high success rate is due to its ability to precisely remove cancerous cells while preserving healthy tissue with the use of a microscope to analyse margins thoroughly.
Do you know other effective treatment options than Mohs surgery? We have already discussed success rates and benefits of Mohs surgery, but let us tell you some treatment options for the skin cancer treatment.
Other Effective Skin Cancer Treatment Options Except Mohs Surgery
Although Mohs surgery is one of the most effective treatment options for skin cancer, there are several other effective treatments for skin cancer, including cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiation therapy, and topical chemotherapy. Take a look at these treatment options:
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is also known as a cold therapy. It is a treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. It can be used to treat skin cancer, skin conditions and other conditions. It is recommended mainly to treat prostate and liver cancer.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses light and a photosensitising drug to kill cancer cells or treat other conditions. It’s a local treatment that’s most effective for small tumors. It is injected into the tumour and the drug is activated by light from a laser or other source.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses radiation to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It’s also known as radiotherapy and damages the DNA of cancer cells, which controls how they divide.
Topical Chemotherapy
Topical chemotherapy is a treatment that uses creams or ointments to apply anti-cancer drugs directly to the skin. It’s used to treat skin cancers and precancerous lesions.
Discuss with your healthcare professional and they will recommend the best treatment option.
