Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is widely regarded as the gold standard for treating certain types of skin cancer. This precise and highly effective procedure ensures complete cancer removal while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. When you've been diagnosed with skin cancer, it's important that you understand the technique and what you can expect during your procedure. At Framingham Dermatology in Framingham, MA, we offer Mohs surgery to treat a variety of types of skin cancer.

Understanding Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a specialized surgical technique that is used to treat skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It's also effective for some melanoma cases and other types of skin cancer. The procedure is unique because it involves the microscopic examination of all removed tissue during the surgery, ensuring complete cancer removal in a single visit.

The procedure begins with the administration of local anesthesia to numb the area. From there, your dermatologist at Framingham Dermatology in Framingham, MA, will remove the visible tumor and a thin layer of the surrounding skin. With every layer that is removed, it will be examined to check for signs of cancerous cells. If cancer is still present, another layer will be removed. This continues until there are no cancerous cells present.

This procedure boasts the highest cure rate of any skin cancer treatment, up to 99% for new skin cancers and 95% for recurrent cancers. By only removing tissue with cancer cells, Mohs surgery preserves as much healthy skin as possible, which is particularly important for cancers in cosmetically sensitive areas like the face. Because the technique is tissue-sparing, it minimizes scarring and disfigurement, leading to better cosmetic outcomes.

Contact Your Dermatologist Today!

Make sure you understand what Mohs surgery is before undergoing it. Contact your dermatologist at Framingham Dermatology in Framingham, MA, at (508) 644-0040 for more information about Mohs surgery.