More information about Mohs Surgery‍

Mohs surgery is a specialized surgery used to treat various kinds of skin cancer and melanomas. This tumor removal method is highly effective, with a higher success rate than many other excision methods. Mohs surgery is the most successful method and the least invasive technique for the complete removal of skin cancers. 

The Mohs surgery technique was designed to remove the entire tumor without damaging surrounding tissue and cause less scarring as a result. Mohs surgery is effective in removing aggressive and large lesions and can be used even when lesions do not have well-defined borders. 

Dr. Bobby Awadalla here at Skincredible is a fellowship-trained Mohs skin cancer surugeon and a fellow of the prestigious American College of Mohs Surgery. This precise technique was developed in the 1930s, and more than 75 years later, still only a handful of physicians around the country have obtained the educational pedigree to perform Mohs surgery.

Patients at Skincredible Dermatology can rest assured that they are in expert hands when conducting this state-of-the-art cancer removal procedure.‍

Key Benefits of Mohs Surgery:

• Retain health skin
• Higher success rate
• The surgeon can see the entire tumor
• You’ll get results immediately 
  

Mohs surgery can be used to treat:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Melanoma
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Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs. More than 80 years later, only a handful of physicians around the country have obtained the educational pedigree to perform Mohs surgery. Dr. Bobby Awadalla of Skincredible Dermatology and Surgery is a fellowship-trained Board Certified Mohs skin cancer surgeon and a fellow of the prestigious American College of Mohs Surgery. He is an expert in his field who has performed hundreds of successful Mohs surgeries with excellent results.

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What Is Mohs Surgery?‍

Mohs surgery is an innovative surgical modality for treating skin cancer lesions and melanoma. Using meticulous microscopic examination and excision, the technique allows surgeons to remove cancer cells without damaging the surrounding healthy skin or organs. With proper care, most patients can expect a full recovery with minimal scarring.

The Mohs surgery technique was designed to remove the entire tumor without damaging surrounding healthy tissue until no cancer cells remain. It effectively removes aggressive and large lesions and can be used even when lesions do not have well-defined borders.

This cancerous tissue removal method is extremely effective, with a success rate of about 99%; much higher than other method of excision. Mohs surgery is the gold standard treatment option for high-risk tumors and the least invasive technique for completely removing skin cancers. 

Key Benefits of Mohs Surgery:

Mohs Surgery offers several key benefits over other techniques, including:

⪢ Tissue Sparing: The entire tumor area is removed while leaving as much normal skin behind as possible.

⪢ Minimal Scarring: As there is less injury to the surrounding tissue, Mohs surgery results in smaller scars than traditional surgical methods.

⪢ Highest Cure Rate: When performed appropriately, Mohs surgery has the highest chance of completely eradicating the cancer than any other surgical or non-surgical procedure.

⪢ Lower Recurrence Rate: This precise technique removes the entire tumor and all cancerous cells – recurrences are very rare at just 1%.

Who Should Consider Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery should be considered for all types of skin cancer, especially basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

These common skin cancers can often appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, hands, arms, chest, back, legs, and feet. Although they are relatively slow growing, these cancers are still dangerous if left untreated.

If you are recently diagnosed with early-stage skin cancer, your doctor may suggest Mohs surgery as one of the best options to treat your condition.

You should also consider Mohs surgery if you have a history of multiple skin cancers or previous unsuccessful treatments.

What to Expect During Mohs Surgery?

During the consultation, your dermatologist will thoroughly examine your skin lesion to determine whether it is appropriate for Mohs surgery. They will evaluate your general health, physical appearance, and medical history before recommending the procedure.

On the day of the surgery, your doctor will again examine the area. After the initial examination, your surgeon will start the Mohs procedure by making an incision around the perimeter of your skin lesion. A small layer of skin will then be carefully removed. This process is repeated until the entire lesion is removed, leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.

As each layer of tissue is removed, it will be sent to the pathology lab, and then will undergo microscopic analysis. If no malignant cells can be found in the margins, the Mohs surgeon will close the incision and provide care instructions to help the wound heal.

Reconstruction After Mohs Surgery

If a Mohs surgery leaves behind a large defect in a highly visible place such as the nose, lips, or ears, your Mohs specialist may recommend using a skin graft (skin taken from another part of your body) or local flap (a section of skin from the nearby area) to cover the wound. Regardless, all closures following Mohs surgery are plastic reconstructive surgeries.

Mohs Surgery Recovery Timeline

The average Mohs surgery takes less than 4 hours per site; however, the time varies depending on several factors, including size, depth, type of cancer, etc.

Following the procedure, you can go home the same day, but should plan to rest – most patients return to work within a couple of days.

Small sutured incisions will take up to 1–2 weeks to heal completely. More significant wounds may take 3–4 weeks to fully recover.

Mohs Surgery Before and After Photos

Here are a few before and after pictures of Mohs surgery:

The Best Way to Treat Skin Cancer – Visit Skincredible Dermatology Today!

Dr. Bobby Awadalla is a renowned Mohs surgery expert. As a double board-certified dermatologist serving Mission Viejo, CA, and the surrounding areas, he has performed hundreds of Mohs surgeries, helping his patients enjoy a full life without worrying about recurrent skin lesions in the future.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Awadalla, please call 949-545-6605 today!

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