Why is MOHS Micrographic Surgery considered the best surgery for skin cancer?
MOHS Micrographic surgery is considered the best surgery for skin cancer for several reasons:
- High cure rate: MOHS surgery has a very high cure rate, especially for skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This is because the technique allows the surgeon to remove the cancerous tissue layer by layer and examine each layer under a microscope, until all the cancerous cells have been removed.
- Minimizes healthy tissue removal: MOHS surgery is particularly effective because it allows the surgeon to remove only the cancerous tissue, while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This can help to minimize scarring and improve the aesthetic outcome of the surgery.
- High precision: MOHS surgery is a very precise technique that allows the surgeon to identify and remove even small areas of cancerous tissue that may not be visible to the naked eye.
- High level of control: MOHS surgery provides the surgeon with a high level of control over the removal of cancerous tissue, which can help to ensure that all the cancerous cells are removed while minimizing the risk of recurrence.
- Useful for difficult-to-treat areas: MOHS surgery is particularly effective for skin cancers that are located on the face or in other areas where preservation of healthy tissue and minimal scarring are particularly important. It’s also considered the gold standard for difficult-to-treat or recurrent skin cancers.
- Can be performed on an outpatient basis: The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, which means patients usually are able to leave the hospital on the same day.
It’s worth mentioning that MOHS surgery is typically performed by a specially trained surgeon, called a MOHS surgeon, and may require multiple stages, depending on the size and complexity of the cancer. This procedure is not suitable for all types of skin cancer, for example for melanoma, a different treatment approach is needed.