What Is Mohs Surgery and How Does It Treat Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, but early detection and advanced treatment options like Mohs surgery can significantly improve outcomes. Mohs surgery is a precise and effective procedure used to remove skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Dr. Sharon Horton at Advanced Dermatology & Mohs Surgery in Batavia, IL, and serving Wheaton, Elgin, Dekalb, Naperville, and St. Charles, IL, can explain what Mohs surgery is and how it can treat your skin cancer. 

Treating Skin Cancer With Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a specialized technique for removing skin cancer layer by layer. Unlike traditional excision methods, Mohs surgery from your dermatologist serving Batavia, Wheaton, Elgin, Dekalb, Naperville, and St. Charles, IL, allows for immediate microscopic examination of the removed tissue to ensure all cancer cells are eliminated before closing the wound. This approach minimizes the risk of recurrence and maximizes healthy tissue preservation. 

Mohs surgery is primarily used to treat: 

• Basal cell carcinoma 
• Squamous cell carcinoma 
• Some melanomas 

It is particularly beneficial for skin cancers in cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas, such as the face, nose, ears, and hands. Mohs surgery is also ideal for patients with high-risk or recurrent skin cancers, particularly in sensitive areas. 

First, the treatment area is numbed to ensure your comfort. From there, your dermatologist will remove a thin layer of cancerous tissue at a time, checking each layer under a microscope. If cancer cells are detected, additional layers are removed and analyzed until no cancer remains. Once the cancer is completely removed, the wound is either left to heal naturally or closed with stitches, depending on size and location. 

Contact Our Dermatologist Today

Make sure you understand if Mohs surgery is your best option. Contact Dr. Sharon Horton at Advanced Dermatology & Mohs Surgery in Batavia, IL, and serving Wheaton, Elgin, Dekalb, Naperville, and St. Charles, IL, to learn more about Mohs surgery and how it treats skin cancer. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (630) 482-3700.