Toms River (732) 244-4566
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Mohs Micrographic Surgery Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest cure rate for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and is the treatment of choice for locally recurrent skin cancers, with typical cure rates of 95 to 97 percent, while other methods used to treat local recurrences achieve a typical cure rate of only 50 to 60 percent. The advantage of Mohs surgery is its precision and the ability to remove the entire cancer while only removing a minimum amount of healthy tissue. To accomplish this, the physician removes a thin layer of tissue which is then carefully examined for for malignant cells. This process is sytematically repeated until all areas of tissue are tumor-free. An alternative method of cancer tissue removal involves excision of the entire tumor and a large area of normal-appearing tissue around it to ensure that all traces of the tumor are removed. The Mohs technique has several significant advantages over the alternative technique. It preserves more healthy tissue than any other cancer surgery technique while enabling the physician to eliminate all visible areas of the tumor. After examining the tissue under a microscope,the Mohs surgeon knows the exact extent of the tumor. Because of this precision, Mohs surgery is an excellent technique for removing skin cancers in the areas around the eyes, nose, ears and mouth. Another advantage of Mohs surgery is that it does not require general anesthesia, allowing patients who are poor candidates for conventional surgery to be successfully treated. The surgery can usually be completed in half a day or less, and most patients can be treated on an outpatient basis. Usually, the physician closes the wound immediately after successful removal of all cancerous tissue. However, in some cases the wound is allowed to heal by itself without suturing, depending on the location, size, and depth of the wound site. The healing process typically takes about four to eight weeks, and the remaining scar can be corrected at a later date, if necessary. Patients return to our office in 5 - 14 days for a re-check to ensure the wound is healing properly. More detailed information on Mohs Before, during and after Photos (not for sensitive eyes!)