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Mohs Surgery: The Gold Standard for Skin Cancer Removal

Mohs surgery ensures complete cancer removal. With a 99% cure rate, it's the preferred method for treating skin cancers.

In the front of the image there is a tissue roll. In the background of the image is dark.
In the front of the image there is a tissue roll. In the background of the image is dark.

Mohs Surgery: The Gold Standard for Skin Cancer Removal

Mohs surgery, a precise technique for skin cancer removal, offers high cure rates and tissue conservation. Developed by Dr. Frederic Mohs in the 1930s, it's widely used today, with a 99% success rate for primary tumors.

Mohs surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, with patients awake during the procedure. The goal is to remove all cancerous tissue while preserving healthy skin. This is achieved by removing suspected cancerous tissue layer by layer and examining it immediately under a microscope. The process continues until no cancer cells remain, ensuring complete tumor removal. This method is particularly effective for treating basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, with a 99% cure rate for basal cell carcinoma.

Recovery from Mohs surgery can take up to a year, depending on the size of the wound and individual healing processes. Despite this, the procedure is widely considered successful in treating skin cancers, with a 94% success rate for recurrent tumors.

Mohs surgery, with its high success rates and tissue conservation, is a preferred method for treating skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It's part of the training for every dermatology residency program in the United States, ensuring its widespread use and effectiveness.

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