Mohs surgery is a precise and effective surgical technique used for the treatment of common skin cancers and certain rare forms. At North Pacific Dermatology in Arcata, Crescent City and Fortuna, California, Dr. Arnold removes skin cancers using Mohs micrographic surgery with the goal of minimizing the chance of it returning, and preserving as much healthy skin as possible. Mohs surgery is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, and the entire procedure usually lasts several hours.
Mohs surgery is a method for treating skin cancer lesions. During this procedure, the surgeon removes thin layers of skin one layer at a time and examines each layer under a microscope to determine if any cancer remains. This procedure continues until only cancer-free tissue remains.
Skin cancer comes in many types. Some of the most common include:
BCC is the most common type of skin cancer. This type causes pink or flesh-colored bumps or pearly growths on sun-exposed areas of the skin like the head, neck, or arms.
SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer. With this type, you may have red, scaly, or ulcer-like growths on your face, neck, arms, chest, or back.
Melanoma is less common than BCC and SCC but is the deadliest type of skin cancer because it spreads quickly. Melanoma may grow from an existing mole or appear as a new mole.
The team at North Pacific Dermatology recommends scheduling an appointment immediately if you have an unusual-looking mole or a new mole. Finding and treating melanoma right away improves your chances of a full recovery.
The team at North Pacific Dermatology conducts Mohs surgery as an outpatient procedure with the surgeon using a local anesthetic to numb the area completely. After injecting the anesthetic, the surgeon uses a scalpel to remove thin, saucer-shaped layers of skin.
Some cancers are deeply rooted in lower levels of the skin, appearing small on the surface but growing several skin layers below. Other cancers may be shallow and require removal of only a few small layers.
After each layer of tissue is removed, the specimen is frozen, sliced into very thin sections and examinesd under a microscope to assess the extent of the skin cancer. If tumor cells remain an additional tissue layer is removed precisely at the area where cancer remains. This procedure continues until the tissue is cancer-free, which spares the maximum amount of healthy surrounding tissue.
After the surgeon identifies the tissue is cancer-free, the team at North Pacific Dermatology will dress the wound and provide care instructions. This may include a topical ointment, medication or special care instructions to reduce the risk of infection. The surgeon at North Pacific Dermatology is uniquely able to provide Mohs Surgery in our area for patients who require this precise procedure. Call North Pacific Dermatology today to schedule your evaluation.