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New treatments for skin cancer are appearing and evolving rapidly in recent years. However, Mohs surgery is the most effective and advanced treatment, today, for treating skin cancer. It offers the highest potential for cure, even if the skin cancer has been previously treated by another method. Developed by Dr. Fredrick Mohs in the 1930s, Mohs micrographic surgery has, with few refinements, come to be embraced over the past decade by dermatologists for treating a variety of skin cancers. Mohs surgery is one of the most effective treatments for most types of skin cancer and is an extremely intricate procedure that requires time and patience for rewarding results. What is Skin cancer? Normal skin cells grow, develop, and die in predictable cycles. Skin cancer, however, develops when skin cells grown out of control. Instead of dying, the damaged DNA within skin cancer cells causes them to continue growing and produce more abnormal cells and also invade other tissues. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The primary cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) light, which damages the DNA with repeated exposure. From being outdoors or in tanning booths, people are a higher risk of developing cancer than those who do not regularly expose themselves to UV light. Recently, the World Health Organization elevated tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category. This is the same rating that it gives to cigarettes. Your skin is composed of several different types of cells that can be affected by distinct types of skin cancer. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Mohs surgery can effectively treat all of these kinds of skin cancer. What is Mohs Surgery? The Mohs procedure involves surgically removing skin cancer layer by layer and examining the tissue under a microscope until healthy, cancer-free tissue around the tumor is reached. Mohs surgery is unique and effective because of the way the removed tissue is microscopically examined, evaluating 100% of the surgical margins. Some advantages of Mohs surgery include: * Ensuring complete cancer removal during surgery, virtually eliminating the chance of the cancer growing back
* Minimizing the amount of healthy tissue lost
* Maximizing the functional and cosmetic outcome resulting from surgery
* Repairing the site of the cancer the same day the cancer is removed, in most cases
* Curing skin cancer when other methods have failed Typically, Mohs surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in your dermatologist's office. Surgery will generally begin in the morning and is completed that same day, depending on the extent of the tumor and the amount of reconstruction that is necessary. Local anesthesia is often administered around the area of the tumor as the patient is awake during the entire procedure.
Skin cancer can take on many variations and characteristics. If you experience any notable skin changes, contact your dermatologist in Boynton immediately. Mohs surgery is one of the most effective treatments for most types of skin cancer. Talk to your Boynton Dermatologist for more information on your options.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading dermatologist in Boynton, FL, Dr. Barry Kuttner. A board certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, Dr. Kuttner is accompanied by board certified dermatologist Dr. Kathleen Herne and board certified physician assistant, Kristen Hafner providing the best in quality care available, including Mohs surgery in Boynton.
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