Mohs surgery is basically a surgical procedure utilized for treating skin cancer. During the procedure, thin layers of skin that contain cancer cells are removed and inspected until only healthy tissue remains. Primarily, the goal of the surgery is to eliminate as much of the cancerous tissue as possible, making sure not to damage the surrounding healthy skin.

Here at Advanced Dermatology and Mohs Surgery in Batavia, IL, Dr. Sharon Horton regularly performs Mohs surgery with local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis.

The Purpose of Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is commonly used for treating common skin cancers, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, certain melanoma types, and other unusual or rare skin cancers. It is, however, particularly beneficial for particular skin cancers that:

• Are aggressive or huge
• Have irregularly-shaped edges
• Are situated in places that you need to keep as much healthy skin as possible, like in the face, genitals, feet, and hands.
• Have recurred even after treatment or have an increased risk of recurrence

According to the American Cancer Society, this surgical treatment is a significant improvement to local excision, which is a standard skin cancer surgery procedure. Excision entails the removal of all visible cancerous skin and a portion of the surrounding skin simultaneously. It enables surgeons to confirm that every cancer-causing cell has been eliminated during the procedure. Likewise, it elevates the chance of finding a cure and minimizes the need for extra surgeries or other treatments.

The Importance of Follow-Up Checkups and Examinations

While Mohs surgery has an extremely high success rate, you’ll always have some risk of developing some sort of cancer again. According to the ACS, almost half of the individuals who have been diagnosed with common skin cancer types would develop some type of skin cancer again.

With this in mind, you should be diligent about going to regular checkups and skin cancer screenings with your dermatologist in Batavia, IL. Following your Mohs surgery, your dermatologist will schedule follow-up appointments, and the frequency of these visits will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. In general, you might need to come in for skin cancer screenings once or twice yearly, or more frequently if your cancer has a high risk of recurrence or was aggressive.

For More Details or Questions About Mohs Surgery, Contact Us

Set an appointment with Dr. Sharon Horton of Advanced Dermatology and Mohs Surgery in Batavia, IL, by dialing 630-482-3700.