Skin Cancer and Mohs Surgery
Skin cancer treatments and Mohs Micrographic Surgery
If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, it can be a very scary time. Most patients want to know what comes next and what their treatment options are. Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a state-of-the-art, advanced skin cancer treatment which offers up to a 99% chance of recovery – the highest potential for recovery available. This is true even with skin cancers that have been previously treated or if other forms of treatment have failed.
During the Mohs Surgery, the same physician acts as a surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Anthony V. Benedetto was the first Mohs surgeon in Pennsylvania when he started his practice in Philadelphia in 1978. He is very experienced in and knowledgeable about this procedure.
The Mohs Surgery-trained dermatologist uses a microscope to see beyond the visible disease. This helps to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, down to its roots while leaving the healthy tissue unharmed. This is the most exact method of tumor removal that also minimizes the chance of regrowth and scarring.
Mohs is frequently used in treating two of the most common forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. But Mohs Micrographic Surgery can be used to treat any type of skin cancer found anywhere on the body including the scalp, neck, face, eyes, ears, nose, lips, back, chest, breasts, genitals, arms, legs, hands or feet.
The following are types of skin cancer that can be treated by Mohs Surgery:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
This is the most common form of skin cancer and is caused by sun exposure. Frequently, it appears as a soft, skin-colored pimple that can bleed easily. BCCs are painless, slow growing and can sometimes resemble skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. It usually appears as a thick, rough, scaly patch that can bleed easily. Often, it looks like a wart and sometimes, as an open sore. The surrounding skin may show signs of wrinkling, pigment changes, and loss of elasticity.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It can look flat or raised, but it is usually dark in color and can be confused with an ordinary mole. If diagnosed and removed while it is still thin and limited to the outermost skin layer, it is almost 100% curable. Once the cancer advances and spreads to other parts of the body, it is hard to treat and can be deadly.