Find out why Mohs surgery is the gold standard for skin cancer removal.

Did our dermatologist Wilmington, DE, dermatologist Dr. Michael Saruk detect a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma during your last visit? If so, we are certainly glad you came in to have the suspicious growth checked out. After all, the sooner we can remove the cancerous lesion, the better. Of course, Mohs surgery is one of the most effective treatment options for removing these two common types of skin cancer.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is a procedure performed in several stages to remove cancerous cells from the skin successfully. One benefit of Mohs surgery is that it has a very high cure rate while preserving more healthy tissue than other traditional skin cancer removal techniques.

During your procedure, our skin doctor will first administer anesthesia to the area. Once the area is numb, we will remove the first layer of cancerous tissue. This tissue is examined under a microscope to check for cancerous cells. From there, we will then remove another layer from the lesion.

We will continue removing thin layers of tissue, examining them under the microscope to detect the presence of cancer cells before going back to remove more tissue if necessary. We will continue the process until no more cancer cells remain. While Mohs surgery is a lengthy process, it results in a very small scar compared to other treatment options.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery tends to be the most popular treatment option for removing both basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Mohs surgery may also be an excellent option for someone whose cancerous lesion is in an area of the body that is more visible, as scarring is minimal. This includes areas of the face such as the nose, lips, and ears, as well as the toes, fingers or genitals. Sometimes, Mohs surgery may even be used to remove melanoma.

Mohs surgery may be necessary if you are dealing with skin cancer, but don’t worry; you’re in safe, expert hands with our Wilmington, DE, team. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Saruk, call Delaware Valley Dermatology Group at (302) 478-8532.