MOHS SURGERY

Mohs surgery at Weymouth's South Coast Dermatology in the South Shore represents the most effective localized skin cancer treatment available today, with a higher than 99 percent cure rate, thanks to its precision and thoroughness. While removing all cancer cells from a lesion is obviously the primary goal, this advanced medical dermatology treatment—officially known as Mohs micrographic surgery—is also prized for the way it preserves a maximum amount of healthy tissue.

Dr. Heidi Anderson-Dockter—offering Mohs surgery at South Coast Dermatology—has completed an intense fellowship and is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery. Some dermatologists perform Mohs surgery without a fellowship, but patients are advised to seek a Mohs surgeon with official credentials. Patients who work with Dr. Anderson-Dockter can be assured that they are undergoing the most precise method of tumor removal available, minimizing the chance of cancerous re-growth while leaving the smallest scar. This makes it the treatment of choice for cancers of the face and other sensitive areas. In fact, this state-of-the-art skin cancer removal method is considered the gold standard in the industry today.



WHAT IS MOHS SURGERY?

Mohs Surgery is a specialized technique for removing certain types of skin cancers. As the most exact and precise method of tumor removal, it minimizes the chance of recurrence and lessens the potential for scarring or disfigurement.

Dr. Frederic Mohs began performing the procedure in the 1930’s. The procedure has been continuously refined over the past 70 years, and it is now an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia.

After the tumor and surrounding skin have been completely numbed, the visible portion of the tumor is surgically removed. The tissue is then taken to our laboratory and processed, where the Mohs surgeon uses a microscope to see if any cancer cells remain. If no cancer cells are seen, the surgeon will repair the wound with stitches (or allow the wound to heal if stitches are not needed.) If any cancer cells have been left behind, the surgeon will go back and remove additional tissue. This process is repeated as many times as necessary to ensure complete removal of the tumor.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer and affects one out of every five Americans. It is most often caused by overexposure to the sun. If diagnosed early through a biopsy, BCC can be treated easily by a few different methods, such as topical creams, curettage-electrodessication, cryosurgery, or, if necessary, surgical removal. Treatments vary and are best determined by a qualified dermatologist. Because BCC is localized, patients dealing with this type of cancer may be ideal candidates for Mohs surgery.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. Most cases are caused by overexposure to the sun, though some SCCs can occur spontaneously or are inherited. Most are not serious if identified and treated early. When in an advanced stage, SCC can be harder to treat and can spread to lymph nodes or other organs. It may even become life threatening. With early detection from a biopsy by a qualified dermatologist, SCC can be treated as easily as by application of topical medicine, surgical excision and/or other treatments determined by your dermatologist. Mohs surgery can be a very effective treatment for SCC in its earlier stages.

Due to a range of factors, Mohs surgery is not typically recommended for cases of melanoma—a deadly form of skin cancer that can quickly grow and spread to other parts of the body.

First of all, prevention is the best tactic in the fight against skin cancer, so the South Coast Dermatology team encourages everyone to regularly wear sunscreen and avoid UV exposure as much as possible. The doctors also encourage men and women in the Boston and South Shore of Massachusetts area—and beyond—to perform regular self-checks on their skin to watch for suspicious moles and other lesions. An annual check-up with a dermatologist is also important for catching cancers as early as possible.

Aside from Mohs surgery, skin cancer treatments include surgical excision as well as cryosurgery to freeze off tumors, combining electrical currents and a special scraping method to kill and remove cancer cells, medicated creams, and radiation therapy. The ideal treatment for each patient depends on the type of cancer, its location, its progression, and other variables that are best discussed during a consultation.