Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is considered the gold standard for treating the two most common types of skin cancer. At liv Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ress and his specially trained team know how important early detection and treatment is and they are ready to help with the most advanced technologies. Dr. Ress serves patients in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Fort Lauderdale and all throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
What is
Mohs Surgery?
The Mohs method is a pathology technique of examining the surgical specimen microscopically, so as to remove completely all skin cancer while preserving all normal tissues. Mohs differs from traditional surgery pathology (frozen section) in how the specimen is oriented. Specifically all attention is focused on the edges or margins of the specimen rather than the center portion. Once the tumor margins are cleared, the open area is closed.
Before and After | Mohs Surgery
Mohs Complete, Mohs Surgery Done Right
Mohs surgery is one of the few cosmetic surgery operations that isn't just about cosmetics. It is actually used to treat a very serious condition: skin cancer This surgery is also known as Mohs micrographic surgery. It's not extremely common, but it is extremely effective. Keep in mind that it does not necessarily prevent future skin cancer, but it does increase the chances of treatments working as well as reduces the need for surgery in the future.
The Mohs method is a pathology technique of examining the surgical specimen microscopically, so as to remove completely all skin cancer while preserving all normal tissues. Mohs differs from traditional in surgery pathology (frozen section) in how the specimen is oriented. Specifically all attention is focused on the edges or margins of the specimen rather than the center portion. Once the tumor margins are cleared, the open area is closed.
The Basics of the Mohs Procedure
This procedure earned its name from Doctor Frederick Mohs. He began performing this operation in the 1930s and it has survived to this day without much change. That is a true testament to its effectiveness. Of course, there have been some refinements.
Mohs Complete is actually considered the most effective skin cancer removal techniques for patients who suffer from BCC or SCC, which are also the two most common types of skin cancer. That is why Mohs is sometimes called basal cell carcinoma removal (BCC removal).
Overall, Mohs can spare a lot of healthy tissue while removing a huge majority of the cancer cells. There is an astounding cure rate of 98 percent for skin cancer patients who have received this treatment. This percentage is much higher than any other treatment in existence.
How does it differ from similar techniques? Many other techniques perform examinations of the skin cells before and after the surgery has taken place. Mohs surgery performs these examinations during the procedure. This method allows the Mohs surgeon to precisely target the cancer-containing skin cells and know just how far they go. It also helps them to spare as much healthy skin as possible.
It's not possible to perform the procedure without removing some of the healthy skin tissue. However, compared to other techniques, the amount of healthy tissue saved is fairly high. A layer of skin is removed and then studied beneath the microscope to determine if the surgeon must remove even more.
The surgeon or pathologist must examine the margins of the skin tissue and if they are free of cancer, the surgery ends. On the other hand, if cancer cells are detected in the margins of the layer of skin, then the surgeon must remove more tissue from that area and repeat the examination process. Other techniques rely on guessing or trying to determine beforehand how deep the cancer goes, but Mohs surgery is able to target the cancer with extreme accuracy.
Mohs surgery to treat melanoma is controversial because surgeons and patients feared that the cancer cells could pass undetected and then multiply.
Mobs surgery has yet to be fully proven effective for melanoma. Mohs Complete offered by Dr. Ress at [liv] Plastic Surgery takes it a step further.
Are There Any Risks?
Of course, every surgery comes with its risks. There aren't many large risks associated with the Mohs Complete, but there are a couple of possible risks that you should be aware of. There is a very small risk of bleeding from the wound or bleeding into the wound. Again, these risks are extremely small. There is also a risk of pain near the surgical site.
This one is slightly more likely, but the pain will eventually go away after a short healing period. One final risk is a small risk of infection in the surgical area. All of these Mobs surgery risks can be reduced by working with a quality, experienced surgeon like Dr. Ress at liv Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton.
MOHS SURGERY PROCEDURE
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What is Mohs Complete™
Mohs Complete., developed by Dr. Andrew Ress, is the next evolution in Mohs surgery practice. The method embraces the team/multimodality approach adopted by most major cancer centers across the country. The team includes only top trained experts in their fields: a board-certified plastic surgeon and a board-certified pathologist who has subspecialized in surgical pathology (frozen section). Other team members include, when necessary, oncologists and other specialists in cancer therapies, for coordinated treatment of advanced problems.
How does Mohs Complete™ Benefit You?
Few would argue that plastic surgeons get better cosmetic results. Just because it's a cancer does not mean you have to look deformed. And it's all one and done in one location. Mohs Complete. makes traveling between multiple doctors' offices history.
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Get Prepared
Skin cancer surgery is a big step. It can have really positive results, but you must be careful and prepare. Preparation helps reduce many of the possible risks that are associated with the procedure. Since you’ve searched “Mohs surgery Boca Raton,” you should discuss the procedure in great length so that you fully understand what is expected. There are many different ways you may be advised to prepare.
First, it’s important that you discuss any medications you are taking with our surgeon. This includes supplements and herbal remedies as well. It’s possible that some medications or supplements will affect the surgery. For example, some may act as a blood thinner and lead to excessive bleeding during and after the surgery. The surgeon needs to know about these things so that they can offer sound advice. You may need to stop taking certain medications or supplements for this reason.
As for the day of surgery, there are some things you can do to make the process more pleasant. You will likely be advised to wear very comfortable clothing and to wear layers. The layers will help you better adapt to any shifts in temperature you might experience.
Finally, remember to fully clear your schedule for the day. The surgery is not likely to take all day, but it could take several hours. Afterward, the surgeon may keep you in the building to rest for a certain period depending on your condition. Even a single area, such as Mohs surgery on nose, can take quite a while depending on the depth and size of the cancer cells.
Pure Pathology System
Our Pure Pathology System, in Mohs Complete, requires that all slides and specimens be archived for at least 10 years. Plain old Mohs only requires the slides be stored for 7 years and the remaining tissue is thrown away. Why? What if there was a mistake? We don’t need to cover our trail. We embrace our results. We take an extra pathology step as well - just to be sure - by reevaluating our specimens one more time in the main lab. Why? Because studies have shown that old Mohs can miss more positive margins than previously thought.
You benefit from these great advances with absolutely no additional cost to you. No one wants to have surgery, but if you must, try the Mohs Complete difference and see for yourself the next evolution in Mohs.