What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the most effective technique for treating the two most common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Mohs surgery is the gold standard for treating many non-melanoma skin cancers — especially those in cosmetically and functionally essential areas around the:
- Eyes
- Nose
- Lips
- Ears
- Scalp
- Fingers
- Toes
Dr. Zand often performs Mohs surgery to treat carcinomas that are large, aggressive, or proliferating, as well as those with indistinct edges or that have recurred after previous treatment.
What happens during Mohs surgery?
Dr. Zand performs the Mohs surgery procedure in stages. It may take several hours, but she can complete it in a single visit.
After removing a layer of tissue, Dr. Zand examines it under a microscope in her on-site lab. If any cancer cells remain, she knows their exact location and can remove another layer of tissue from only that area, sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
Dr. Zand repeats that process until all of your cancer cells are gone.
What are the benefits of Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery results in the lowest recurrence rates, highest cure rates, and best cosmetic outcomes of any surgical skin cancer treatment. And because Dr. Zand can perform Mohs surgery right in her office, during a single visit, and using only local anesthesia, the procedure is efficient and cost-effective.
Dr. Zand examines 100% of tumor margins herself, so Mohs surgery spares your healthy tissue and leaves you with the smallest scar possible. If your skin cancer hasn’t been treated before, the cure rate of Mohs surgery is as high as 99%; if it has recurred after previous treatment, the cure rate is around 94%.
Is Mohs surgery right for you?
Choosing how to treat your skin cancer can be a really hard decision. You need to weigh cure rate, cosmetic outcome, wound care, healing time, cost and convenience. And then decide which surgeon is the best fit for you as your partner in health and healing. Dr. Zand will discuss all your choices, and help you weigh the benefits and disadvantages of each for your personally.
With the highest cure rate, Mohs surgery is the treatment of choice for high-risk, invasive non-melanoma skin cancers. But it is not the only choice for most diagnoses. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Zand today to learn about your options and get the treatment best for you or your loved one. We can’t wait to see you at our stunning waterfront office in southern Marin.
