Dedicated Excellence in Dermatologic Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
At The Surgery Center at Plano Dermatology, we combine decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology to offer you a compassionate and precise approach to Mohs micrographic surgery, ensuring not just the effective removal of skin cancer but also the preservation of your skin’s natural beauty.
Understanding Mohs Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized procedure for treating specific skin cancers with remarkable precision and effectiveness. This innovative technique involves carefully removing and examining cancerous tissue layer by layer, ensuring complete eradication while preserving healthy tissue. Established by Dr. Frederic Mohs, it is recognized for its high cure rates and minimal scarring, making it the gold standard for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, as well as other complex skin cancers.
Our skilled surgeons use advanced Mohs techniques to accurately identify and selectively excise cancerous areas, effectively tracing the cancer back to its roots. This targeted approach maximizes the preservation of normal tissue and offers a success rate of up to 97 percent, significantly higher than the 50 to 70 percent success rates of other treatment options, even in previously treated cases.
Benefits of Mohs Surgery
Unmatched Accuracy and Cure Rates
Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rates for skin cancer, ensuring comprehensive removal of cancerous cells
Preserves Healthy Skin
This technique meticulously preserves healthy tissue, minimizing scarring and maintaining cosmetic appearance
Minimizes Scarring and Improves Cosmetic Results
Mohs allows us to create the smallest possible wound, which means smaller scars and better cosmetic outcomes.
Immediate Results
With real-time microscopic examination, Mohs surgery provides immediate confirmation of cancer clearance
Conditions Treated with Mohs Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the most effective technique for removing certain types of skin cancer, especially when precision matters. It allows us to remove all cancer cells while preserving as much healthy skin as possible.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
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The most common form of skin cancer.
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Often found on sun-exposed areas like the nose, ears, and neck.
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Mohs is especially recommended when BCCs are large, aggressive, or located in areas where preserving appearance and function are important.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
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The second most common skin cancer.
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May appear as a scaly patch, red bump, or sore that doesn’t heal.
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Mohs is often chosen for SCCs that are fast-growing, high-risk, or located on sensitive areas like the lips, eyelids, or ears.
Recurrent Skin Cancers
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Skin cancers that return after being treated once can be more difficult to remove completely.
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Mohs allows us to target remaining cancer cells with precision to reduce the chance of it coming back again.
Skin Cancers in High-Risk Locations
In some cases, Mohs may also be used to treat less common cancers, such as:
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Melanoma in situ (lentigo maligna) — when caught early and confined to the top layer of skin.
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Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) — a rare, slow-growing cancer that can spread beneath the skin.
Common Questions About Mohs Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized procedure for treating skin cancer. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand the process and what to expect.
What is Mohs micrographic surgery?
Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique used to treat skin cancer. It involves removing cancerous tissue layer by layer and examining each layer under a microscope until no cancer cells remain.
Our surgeons frequently receive patients who are referred for Mohs surgery after other forms of treatment have failed. This does not mean that the patient is cancer prone or a particularly hopeless case. It merely means that the methods used for treatment in the past did not destroy all the skin cancer cells. Because Mohs micrographic surgery uses complete microscopic control to search out the “roots” of the cancer, it cures almost all patients – even those in whom skin cancer has persisted in spite of several other treatments.
How long does the Mohs procedure take?
The duration of Mohs surgery varies depending on the extent of the cancer. Typically, the procedure can take several hours as each layer is carefully examined to ensure complete cancer removal.
Will I need to be hospitalized?
Whenever possible, the surgery is performed as an outpatient in the Plano, Texas clinic. We will inform you if we feel it would be best for you to be hospitalized at the time of you initial visit.
Occasionally, patients must be hospitalized after treatment to allow follow up or reconstruction.
What should I expect during recovery?
Recovery from Mohs surgery is generally quick. Patients may experience some swelling and redness, but these symptoms usually subside within a few days. Follow-up care is important to ensure proper healing.
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Ready to experience exceptional dermatological care? Contact us now to schedule your appointment or to learn more about our specialized services. Our expert team is here to assist you with any questions you may have. Don’t wait to take the next step towards healthier skin.