Mohs Surgery
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Advantage Dermatology
Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Dermatology serving Jacksonville, FL, Neptune Beach, FL, Atlantic Beach, FL & Jacksonville Beach, FL
Mohs surgery is considered one of the best surgical treatments for skin cancer. Performed by board-certified dermatologist Oliver Perez, MD, of Advantage Dermatology, Mohs surgery spares normal tissue and gives a superior cure rate. If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, set up a consultation at the Jacksonville or Neptune Beach, Florida, office to learn whether you’re a candidate for this treatment. Call today or use the online tool to schedule.
Mohs Surgery Q&A
What happens during Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is performed in-office. After cleansing and numbing the treatment area, Dr. Perez draws a circle around the area, marking directional reference. These directional references help him ensure all sites with possible cancer are examined.
Dr. Perez takes a sample of tissue near the site of your original biopsy. He freezes the tissue and then converts it onto a slide to view under a microscope for lingering cancer cells.
If there are no more cells, your surgery is complete. If there are still signs of cancer, he takes another small sample of tissue and repeats the freezing and laboratory reading process until all cancerous cells are removed.
The length of your appointment depends on the complexity of the procedure and how many layers of tissue must be removed for the successful removal of all cancerous cells. Plan on a 4-6 hour procedure.
What are the benefits of Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is considered the gold standard when it comes to skin cancer treatment.
It spares the most normal tissue, especially in areas where you don’t have a lot of extra tissue to work with, like your face, eyelids, or ears.
Mohs surgery also has an excellent cure rate. In some cases, cure rates of 94-99% have been achieved.
Mohs surgery is also done precisely and carefully to minimize the size of any scarring or defect so that you have a smaller wound and improved healing.
Who is a candidate for Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery can be effective on any form of skin cancer. It’s most often used on people who were recently diagnosed with early-stage melanoma. If melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, more in-depth treatment will be required.
Mohs surgery can be performed just about anywhere on your body but is usually the only option in areas with very thin skin. Your nose, eyelid, and lip require the precision that Mohs surgery offers.
If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, explore your treatment options — including Mohs surgery — with the experts at Advantage Dermatology. Call today or use the online tool to book your appointment.
