Mohs Surgery: What Does It Treat and How Effective Is It?

Mohs surgery is an extremely successful surgical treatment that’s designed to eliminate cancerous tumors during a single office procedure. Highly valued for its precision and effectiveness, Mohs is up to 99% effective in treating certain skin cancers.

Dr. Alexander Stein is our top-rated specialist who is board-certified in internal medicine, oncology, and dermatology. He also has the extensive training and experience required to perform Mohs surgery.

This talented physician leads our team here at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery, where we provide exceptional dermatologic care and various cosmetic services for individuals of all ages in the communities in and around Chula Vista, California. 

We greatly appreciate the opportunity to provide more information about Mohs and what makes it so effective.

What makes Mohs surgery so special?

One of the mainstay treatments for certain skin cancers is surgical excision that includes removing the growth as well as a margin of tissue around the visible tumor. This hopefully eliminates microscopic cancerous cells that may have invaded healthy tissue and are responsible for the regrowth and spread of the malignancy.

Mohs surgery is a technique that specially trained skin cancer surgeons like Dr. Stein use to remove cancer-containing tissue layer by layer rather than all at once. Each layer is carefully examined microscopically for cancerous cells while you wait. Dr. Stein continues removing and examining the tissue-thin layers until the skin is cancer-free.

It may take several hours to complete, but this very precise and meticulous procedure offers many benefits that aren’t available with standard excisions.

What are the benefits of Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is considered one of the most effective forms of treatment for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common forms of skin cancer. Most notably, it has an outstanding cure rate of 99% for previously untreated growths and is 94% effective in treating recurrent tumors.

Other benefits of Mohs include:

Mohs is also valued by skin cancer specialists like Dr. Stein because it leaves the smallest scar possible and spares the maximum amount of healthy tissue. This helps speed up the healing process and provides much improved cosmetic results compared to standard excisions. 

Who is a good candidate for Mohs?

Dr. Stein may recommend Mohs for skin cancers that:

For cosmetic reasons, Dr. Stein may recommend Mohs for skin cancers on the face, ears, or other highly visible areas. Because of its tissue-sparing nature, Mohs is often the preferred technique in areas where skin layers are normally quite thin, such as the hands and feet.

You can rely on our entire team here at Stein Dermatology and Skin Surgery to provide the most effective care available for your skin, including cancer treatments designed for your specific needs and circumstances. 

Schedule a visit with Dr. Stein today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.

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